Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/68—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment
  • A61K47/6801—Drug-antibody or immunoglobulin conjugates defined by the pharmacologically or therapeutically active agent
  • A61K47/6803—Drugs conjugated to an antibody or immunoglobulin, e.g. cisplatin-antibody conjugates
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/62—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being a protein, peptide or polyamino acid
  • A61K47/65—Peptidic linkers, binders or spacers, e.g. peptidic enzyme-labile linkers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/68—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment
  • A61K47/6801—Drug-antibody or immunoglobulin conjugates defined by the pharmacologically or therapeutically active agent
  • A61K47/6803—Drugs conjugated to an antibody or immunoglobulin, e.g. cisplatin-antibody conjugates
  • A61K47/68031—Drugs conjugated to an antibody or immunoglobulin, e.g. cisplatin-antibody conjugates the drug being an auristatin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/68—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment
  • A61K47/6801—Drug-antibody or immunoglobulin conjugates defined by the pharmacologically or therapeutically active agent
  • A61K47/6803—Drugs conjugated to an antibody or immunoglobulin, e.g. cisplatin-antibody conjugates
  • A61K47/68037—Drugs conjugated to an antibody or immunoglobulin, e.g. cisplatin-antibody conjugates the drug being a camptothecin [CPT] or derivatives
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/68—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment
  • A61K47/6889—Conjugates wherein the antibody being the modifying agent and wherein the linker, binder or spacer confers particular properties to the conjugates, e.g. peptidic enzyme-labile linkers or acid-labile linkers, providing for an acid-labile immuno conjugate wherein the drug may be released from its antibody conjugated part in an acidic, e.g. tumoural or environment
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/30—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency
  • C07K2317/33—Crossreactivity, e.g. for species or epitope, or lack of said crossreactivity
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
  • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
  • C07K2317/569—Single domain, e.g. dAb, sdAb, VHH, VNAR or nanobody®
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/76—Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/77—Internalization into the cell
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
  • C07K2317/92—Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value

Definitions

• the Sequence Listing XML file submitted with this application is entitled “14529-133-228_SEQ_LISTING.xml”, was created on March 20, 2024, and is 49,227 bytes in size.
• FIELD [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that comprise Delta-Like Canonical Notch Ligand (DLL3) antibodies and methods of their use.
• ADCs antibody-drug conjugates
• DLL3 Delta-Like Canonical Notch Ligand 3
• DLL3 is a type I transmembrane protein that belongs to the DSL family of Notch ligands. It is normally expressed exclusively on intracellular membranes, especially the Golgi apparatus.
• DLL3 acts as an inhibitor of Notch signaling by interfering with the binding between Notch and its ligands.
• DLL3 is highly expressed on lung tumor cell surface, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). While it is normally expressed exclusively on the intracellular membranes, DLL3 is a potential therapeutic tumor target for any tumors that express DLL3, including SCLC and LCNEC.
• ADC antibody-drug conjugate
• n is an integer from 1 to 8
• Ab represents an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”), wherein the point of attachment of the drug conjugate to the Ab is through a cysteine or a lysine residue of the DLL3 antibody.
• n is 2.
• n is 4.
• the ADC is of Formula (I-A) or a salt thereof. 2 NAI-1539599961v1
• the ADC is of Formula (I-B) or a salt thereof: .
• (I-B) 3 NAI-1539599961v1 [0007]
• the cysteine residues are in the hinge region of the DLL3 antibody.
• the cysteine residues form an interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody not conjugated directly or indirectly to X, for example, between two heavy chains, between a heavy chain and a light chain, between two VHH chains, or between two VHH-Fc chains.
• the cysteine residue is at any one or more of positions 226 or 229 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as C226 or C229, respectively).
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: . 5 NAI-1539599961v1 In other embodiments, X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: .
• the lysine residue is at any one or more of positions 246, 248, 288, 290, or 317 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317, respectively).
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: 7 NAI-1539599961v1
• the point of attachment of the drug conjugate to the Ab is through a cysteine or a lysine residue of the DLL3 antibody.
• n is 2.
• n is 4.
• the ADC is of Formula (II-A) or a salt thereof: .
• the ADC is of Formula (II-B) or a salt thereof: .
• an ADC of Formula (A) wherein each thick shaded line represents a chain of a DLL3 antibody, the depicted sulfurs are from cysteine residues of the DLL3 antibody, and X represents the structure below: 10 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (A).
• the cysteine residues are in the hinge region of the DLL3 antibody.
• the cysteine residues form an interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody not conjugated directly or indirectly to X, for example, between two heavy chains, between a heavy chain and a light chain, between two VHH chains, or between two VHH-Fc chains.
• the cysteine residue is at any one or more of positions 226 or 229 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as C226 or C229, respectively).
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: . 11 NAI-1539599961v1 In some embodiments, X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: .
• an ADC of Formula (B) wherein each thick shaded line represents a chain of a DLL3 antibody, the depicted CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 NH moiety is from a lysine residue of the CH2 domain of the DLL3 antibody, and X represents the structure below: 12 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (B).
• the lysine residue is at any one or more of positions 246, 248, 288, 290, or 317 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317, respectively).
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: . 13 NAI-1539599961v1 In some embodiments, X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: .
• the DLL3 antibody as used herein comprises a VHH. In further embodiments, the DLL3 antibody as used herein comprises a VHH-Fc fusion, for example, as depicted in Figure 1A. Additionally or alternatively, the DLL3 antibody comprises a CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 of a heavy chain variable domain (VH), wherein the VH comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14, 15 or 16, for example, as those disclosed in Table 1 and Table 2.
• VH heavy chain variable domain
• the DLL3 antibody comprises a VH as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14, 15 or 16. In yet further embodiments, the DLL3 antibody comprises a homodimer of a VHH-Fc chain as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:4, 5, or 10. [0013]
• a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ADC described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the pharmaceutical composition has a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of about 1.5 to about 2.5. In further embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition has a DAR of about 1.9 to 2.1.
• DAR drug-to-antibody ratio
• the pharmaceutical composition has a DAR of about 1 to about 4, for example, about 1 to about 3, about 1 to about 2, about 2 to about 4, or about 3 to about 4. In further embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition has a DAR of about 3.5 to about 4.0, such as about 3.6, about 3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9, or about 4.0.
• a method of modulating a DLL3 related immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject an ADC or a pharmaceutical composition described herein such that an immune response is modulated in the subject.
• a method for treating a cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject an ADC or a pharmaceutical composition described herein, wherein the cancer is DLL3-positive or overexpressed.
• the cancer is selected from lung cancer and neuroendocrine carcinoma.
• the cancer is small cell lung cancer (SCLC), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) or colorectal cancer.
• SCLC small cell lung cancer
• LNEC large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
• provided herein are methods of making an ADC described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017]
• Figure 1A shows an antibody comprising VHH fused to an Fc.
• Figure 1B provides exemplary routes of synthesis for ADCs, wherein the antibody may be a conventional antibody comprising two heavy chains and two light chains, or a VHH-Fc fusion as illustrated in Figure 1A.
• Figure 2 provides an exemplary RP-HPLC analysis result of Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), and Linker-Drug (2) (mixture of Linker-Drug (2-A) and Linker-Drug (2- B)), further described in Example 7.
• Figure 3 illustrates Linker-Drug (2-B).
• Figures 4A-4D show exemplary results for mAb300, mAb301, mAb302, and relevant ADCs from developability assays, further described in Example 15.
• Figure 4A compares mAb302, ADC-013 and ADC-014 using size exclusion chromatography (SEC).
• Figure 4B compares mAb300 and mAb302 using hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC).
• Figure 4C compares mAb300, ADC-009, and ADC-010 using HIC.
• Figure 4D compares mAb302, ADC-013, and ADC-014 using HIC.
• Figures 7A-7R provide exemplary SEC-HPLC analysis results of the produced ADC-009-M (mAb300, Linker-Drug (2), DAR2, Figure 7A), ADC-009-A (mAb300, Linker- Drug (2-A), DAR2, Figure 7B), ADC-009-B (mAb300, Linker-Drug (2-B), DAR2, Figure 7C), ADC-015-M (mAb301, Linker-Drug (2), DAR2, Figure 7D), ADC-015-A (mAb301, 15 NAI-1539599961v1 Linker-Drug (2-A), DAR2, Figure 7E), ADC-015-B (mAb301, Linker-Drug (2-B), DAR2, Figure 7F), ADC-013-M (mAb302, Linker-Drug (2), DAR2, Figure 7G), ADC-013-A (mAb302, Linker-Drug (2-A), DAR2, Figure 7H), ADC-013-B (mAb30)
• Figures 8A-8R provide exemplary HIC-HPLC analysis results of the produced ADC-009-M (mAb300, Linker-Drug (2), DAR2, Figure 8A), ADC-009-A (mAb300, Linker- Drug (2-A), DAR2, Figure 8B), ADC-009-B (mAb300, Linker-Drug (2-B), DAR2, Figure 8C), ADC-015-M (mAb301, Linker-Drug (2), DAR2, Figure 8D), ADC-015-A (mAb301, Linker-Drug (2-A), DAR2, Figure 8E), ADC-015-B (mAb301, Linker-Drug (2-B), DAR2, Figure 8F), ADC-013-M (mAb302, Linker-Drug (2), DAR2, Figure 8G), ADC-013-A (mAb302, Linker-Drug (2-A), DAR2, Figure 8H), ADC-013-B (mAb302, Linker-Drug (2- B),
• Figures 9A-9E provide exemplary results of cytotoxicity assays investigating effects of ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 on hDLL3 overexpressing B16F10 cells, further described in Example 17.
• Figure 9A compares various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan and ADC-017 after 72 hours of incubation.
• Figure 9B compares various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan and ADC-017 after 96 hours of incubation. Corresponding IC 50 and maximum inhibition percentages were calculated and are presented in Figure 9C.
• Figure 9D compares various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan, ADC-015, ADC-016, ADC-017, IgG1 Fc conjugated to Exatecan, and IgG1 Fc conjugated to MMAE after 72 hours of incubation, while Figure 9E presents corresponding IC 50 and maximum inhibition percentages.
• Figures 10A-10E provide exemplary results of in vitro cytotoxicity assays investigating the effects of ADC-015-M, ADC-015-A, ADC-015-B, ADC-016-M, ADC-016- A, and ADC-016-B on a DLL3 over-expressing 293F cell line, further described in Example 20.
• Figures 10A and 10B plot the data from a first experiment, while Figure 10A plots the concentrations of the tested ADCs on the x-axis and Figure 10B plots the calibrated concentrations of the linker-payloads of the tested ADCs on the x-axis.
• Figures 10C and 10D plot the data from a second experiment, while Figure 10C plots the concentrations of the tested ADCs on the x-axis and Figure 10D plots the calibrated concentrations of the linker- payloads of the tested ADCs on the x-axis.
• Figure 10E plots the data from a third experiment.
• Figures 11A-11F provide exemplary results of cytotoxicity assays investigating the effect of ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 on H69 cells, further described in Example 21.
• Figures 11A, 11C, and 11E compare various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan, ADC- 015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 after 120 hours of incubation, while their IC50 and maximum inhibition percentages are presented in Figures 11B, 11D and 11F, respectively.
• Figures 12A-12D provide exemplary results of cytotoxicity assays investigating effects of ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 on CORL279 cells, further described in Example 21.
• Figures 12A and 12C compare various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan, ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 after 120 hours of incubation, while their IC 50 and maximum inhibition percentages are presented in Figures 12B and 12D, respectively.
• Figures 13A-13B provide exemplary results of cytotoxicity assays investigating effects of ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 on SHP77 cells, further described in Example 21.
• Figure 13A compares various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan, ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 after 120 hours of incubation, while the corresponding IC50 and maximum inhibition percentages are presented in Figure 13B.
• Figures 14A-14B provide exemplary results of cytotoxicity assays investigating effects of ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 on H460 cells, further described in Example 21.
• Figure 14A compares various concentrations of MMAE, Exatecan, ADC-015, ADC-016, and ADC-017 after 120 hours of incubation, while the corresponding IC 50 and maximum inhibition percentages are presented in Figure 14B.
• Figures 15A-15E provide exemplary results of cytotoxicity assays investigating effects of ADC-009 and ADC-010 on SHP77 cells (Figure 15A), DMS79 cells (Figure 15B), H69 cells (Figure 15C), and CORL279 cells (Figure 15D), further described in 17 NAI-1539599961v1 Example 22. Corresponding IC50 and maximum inhibition percentages were calculated and presented in Figure 15E.
• Figures 16A-16F plot tumor volume (TV) measurements of mice implanted with SHP77 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells and treated with the indicated compounds, further described in Example 23.
• SCLC small cell lung cancer
• Figure 16A, Figure 16C, and Figure 16E plot the data over the observation period, while Figure 16B and Figure 16D compare the data on Day 28 (D28), and Figure 16F plots the data on Day 24 (D24).
• Figures 17A-17K provide spider plots of mice implanted with SHP77 SCLC cells and treated with the indicated compounds (Figure 17A, Vehicle; Figure 17B, DAR 2 Isotype ADC 1 mg/kg; Figure 17C, DAR 4 Isotype ADC 1 mg/kg; Figure 17D, ADC-015-B 3 mg/kg; Figure 17E, ADC-015-B 1 mg/kg; Figure 17F, ADC-015-B 0.3 mg/kg x3; Figure 17G, ADC-015-M 1 mg/kg; Figure 17H, ADC-016-B 3 mg/kg; Figure 17I, ADC-016-B 1 mg/kg; Figure 17J, ADC-016-B 0.3 mg/kg x3; Figure 17K, ADC-016-M 1 mg/kg
• Figures 18A-18I provide data obtained from the CXF 742 PDX model, further described in Example 24.
• Figure 18A provides an exemplary IHC staining image of the CXF 742 tumor sample.
• Figure 18B plots absolute tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period (the mean group TV was graphed until 2 animals were removed from the group due to the TV endpoint).
• Figure 18C plots tumor volumes on Day 45 (D45) (the mixed effect analysis was performed using Dunnett’s post-test vs Vehicle group).
• Figures 18D-18G provide spider plots of mice treated with the indicated compounds (Figure 18D, Vehicle; Figure 18E, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 1; Figure 18F, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 2; Figure 18G, ADC-015-M, 5 mg/kg x 1).
• Figure 18H plots relative tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figure 18I plots body weights of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figures 19A-19I provide data obtained from the LXFS 2156 PDX model, further described in Example 24.
• Figure 19A provides an exemplary IHC staining image of the LXFS 2156 tumor sample.
• Figure 19B plots absolute tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period (the mean group TV was graphed until 2 animals were removed from group due to TV endpoint).
• Figure 19C plots tumor volumes on Day 31 (D31) (mixed effect analysis, Dunnett’s post-test vs Vehicle group).
• Figures 19D-19G provide spider plots of mice treated with the indicated compounds (Figure 19D, Vehicle; Figure 19E, ADC-016- M, 5 mg/kg x 1; Figure 19F, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 2; Figure 19G, ADC-015-M, 5 mg/kg 18 NAI-1539599961v1 x 1).
• Figure 19H plots relative tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figures 20D-20G provide spider plots of mice treated with the indicated compounds (Figure 20D, Vehicle; Figure 20E, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 1; Figure 20F, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 2; Figure 20G, ADC-015-M, 5 mg/kg x 1).
• Figure 20H plots relative tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figure 20I plots body weights of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figures 21A-21I provide data obtained from the CXF 94 PDX model, further described in Example 24.
• Figure 21A provides an exemplary IHC staining image of the CXF 94 tumor sample.
• Figure 21B plots absolute tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period (the mean group TV was graphed until 2 animals were removed from group due to TV endpoint).
• Figure 21C plots tumor volumes on Day 31 (D31) (Mixed effect analysis, Dunnett’s post-test vs Vehicle group).
• Figures 21D-21G provide spider plots of mice treated with the indicated compounds (Figure 21D, Vehicle; Figure 21E, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 1; Figure 21F, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 2; Figure 21G, ADC-015-M, 5 mg/kg x 1).
• Figure 21H plots relative tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figure 21I plots body weights of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figures 22A-22J provide data obtained from the LXFS 538 PDX model, further described in Example 24.
• Figure 22A provides an exemplary IHC staining image of the LXFS 538 tumor sample.
• Figure 22B plots absolute tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period (the mean group TV was graphed until 2 animals were removed from group due to TV endpoint).
• Figure 22C plots tumor volumes on Day 35 (D35), while Figure 22D plots tumor volumes on Day 42 (D42) (Mixed effect analysis, Dunnett’s post-test vs Vehicle group).
• Figures 22E-22H provide spider plots of mice treated with the indicated compounds (Figure 22E, Vehicle; Figure 22F, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 1; Figure 22G, ADC-016-M, 5 mg/kg x 2; Figure 22H, ADC-015-M, 5 mg/kg x 1).
• Figure 22I plots relative tumor volumes of the tested groups over the observation period.
• Figure 22J plots body weights of the tested groups over the observation period.
• ADC antibody-drug conjugate
• the present disclosure provides an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising an antibody that binds to DLL3 and a drug conjugated (directly or indirectly) thereto.
• ADC antibody-drug conjugate
• DLL3-ADCs are useful in compositions and in methods of treating, preventing, or alleviating a DLL3-mediated disease, disorder, or condition, including one or more symptoms of the disease, disorder, or condition.
• DLL3-mediated diseases, disorders, and conditions include cancer, for example, lung cancer (such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC)), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), or colorectal cancer.
• SCLC small cell lung cancer
• LCNEC large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
• the DLL3-ADCs described herein comprise a DLL3 antibody conjugated to one or more linker-drug conjugates.
• such variation can refer to about 10%, or about 20%, or about 30%, or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 1 fold, or about 2 fold, or about 3 fold, or about 4 fold, or about 5 fold, or about 10 fold, or about 20 fold, or about 30 fold, or about 40 fold, or about 100 fold or higher than the reference.
• such variation can refer to about 1%, or about 2%, or about 3%, or about 4%, or about 5%, or about 6%, or about 7%, or about 8%, or about 9%, or about 10%, or about 20%, or about 30%, or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95%, or about 96%, or about 97%, or about 98%, or about 99% of the reference.
• the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
• the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth” and similar in a component name are used to distinguish and identify more than one component sharing 20 NAI-1539599961v1 certain identity in their names.
• first antibody and “second antibody” are used to distinguish two antibodies.
• the term “between” as used in a phrase as such “between A and B” or “between A- B” refers to a range including both A and B.
• the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone).
• the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
• the term “Delta Like Canonical Notch Ligand 3,” “DLL3,” “SCDO1,” “Drosophila Delta Homolog 3,” “Delta-Like Protein 3,” “Delta3,” “D3,” “Delta (Drosophila)-Like 3,” “Delta-Like 3 (Drosophila),” “Delta-Like 3” or similar terms refers to a polypeptide (“polypeptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein) or any native DLL3 from any vertebrate source, including mammals such as primates (e.g., humans, cynomolgus monkey (cyno)), dogs, and rodents (e.g., mice and rats), unless otherwise indicated.
• DLL3 encompasses “full-length” DLL3, as well as any form of DLL3 or any fragment thereof that results from processing in the cell.
• the term DLL3 also encompasses naturally occurring variants of DLL3, such as SNP variants, splice variants and allelic variants.
• Other related DLL3 polypeptides that are also encompassed by the term DLL3 include fragments, derivatives (e.g., substitution, deletion, truncations, and insertion variants), fusion polypeptides, and interspecies homologs that retain DLL3 activity. Orthologs to the DLL3 polypeptide are also well known in the art.
• Exemplary DLL3 sequences and additional information can be found at GeneCards: GC19P039498; HGNC: 2909; NCBI Entrez Gene: 21 NAI-1539599961v1 10683; Ensembl: ENSG00000090932; OMIM®: 602768; and UniProtKB/Swiss- Prot: Q9NYJ7, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• an exemplary human DLL3 sequence is provided herein as SEQ ID NO:11
• an exemplary cyno DLL3 sequence is provided herein as SEQ ID NO:12
• an exemplary murine DLL3 sequence is provided herein as SEQ ID NO:13.
• a VH and a VL can comprise 3 CDRs (Complementarity determining regions) and 4 FRs (Framework regions) in the following order: FRW1, CDR1, FRW2, CDR2, FRW3, CDR3, FRW4 from N-terminal to C-terminal.
• Antibodies can be of different antibody isotypes, for example, IgG (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 subtype), IgA1, IgA2, IgD, IgE or IgM antibody.
• IMGT ® ImMunoGeneTics
• Information System Lefranc et al., Dev. Comp. Immunol.27(1):55-77 (2003).
• IMGT ® is an integrated information system specializing in immunoglobulins (IG), T cell receptors (TR) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of human and other vertebrates.
• IG immunoglobulins
• TR T cell receptors
• MHC major histocompatibility complex
• CDRs are referred to in terms of both the amino acid sequence and the location within the light or heavy chain.
• Fc region is used to define a C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain, including, for example, native sequence Fc regions, recombinant Fc regions, and variant Fc regions. Although the boundaries of the Fc region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain might vary, the human IgG heavy chain Fc region is often defined to stretch from an amino acid residue at position Cys226 (according to the EU numbering system), or from Pro230 (according to the EU numbering system) to the carboxyl-terminus thereof.
• a “native sequence Fc region” comprises an amino acid sequence identical to the amino acid sequence of an Fc region found in nature, and not manipulated, modified, and/or changed (e.g., isolated, purified, selected, including, or combining with other sequences such 23 NAI-1539599961v1 as variable region sequences) by a human.
• Native sequence human Fc regions include a native sequence human IgG1 Fc region (non-A and A allotypes); native sequence human IgG2 Fc region; native sequence human IgG3 Fc region; and native sequence human IgG4 Fc region as well as naturally occurring variants thereof.
• a “variant Fc region” comprises an amino acid sequence which differs from that of a native sequence Fc region by virtue of at least one amino acid modification, (e.g., substituting, addition, or deletion) preferably one or more amino acid substitution(s).
• the variant Fc region has at least one amino acid substitution compared to a native sequence Fc region or to the Fc region of a parent polypeptide, for example, from about one to about ten amino acid substitutions, and preferably from about one to about five amino acid substitutions in a native sequence Fc region or in the Fc region of the parent polypeptide.
• a variant Fc region can possess at least about 80% homology with a native sequence Fc region and/or with an Fc region of a parent polypeptide, or at least about 90% homology therewith, for example, at least about 95% homology therewith.
• the variant Fc region herein described herein may have a loss of effector function (e.g., silent Fc).
• VHH domain e.g., variable domain of a heavy chain antibody
• a VHH domain represents the smallest known antigen-binding unit generated by adaptive immune responses (Koch-Nolte F. et al., FASEB J. Nov; 21(13):3490-8. Epub 2007 Jun 15 (2007)).
• a VHH domain may be a human domain, but also includes a single domain from other species such as rodent, nurse shark and camelid VHH domains.
• Camelid VHH are immunoglobulin single variable domain polypeptides that are derived from species including camel, llama, alpaca, dromedary, and guanaco, which produce heavy chain antibodies naturally devoid of light chains.
• Such VHH domains may be humanized according to standard techniques available in the art and are considered as “single 24 NAI-1539599961v1 domain antibodies.”
• VHH includes camelid VHH domains and humanized VHH domains.
• K D is intended to refer to the dissociation constant of a particular antibody-antigen interaction, which is obtained from the ratio of Kd to Ka (e.g., Kd/Ka) and is expressed as a molar concentration (M).
• a preferred method for determining the K D of an antibody is by using surface plasmon resonance, preferably using a biosensor system such as a Biacore® system.
• the term “specific binding” or “specifically binds” as used herein refers to a non- random binding reaction between two molecules, such as for example between an antibody and an antigen.
• the term “high affinity,” as used herein, refers to a DLL3 antibody having a K D of 1 x 10 -7 M or less, more preferably 5 x 10 -8 M or less, even more preferably 1x10 -8 M or less, even more preferably 5 x 10 -9 M or less and even more preferably 1 x 10 -9 M or less for a target antigen.
• the term “epitope,” as used herein, refers to a portion of an antigen that an immunoglobulin or antibody specifically binds to.
• Epitope is also known as “antigenic determinant.”
• Epitope or antigenic determinant generally comprises chemically active surface groups of a molecule such as amino acids, carbohydrates, or sugar side chains, and generally has a specific three-dimensional structure and a specific charge characteristic.
• an epitope generally comprises at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 consecutive or non-consecutive amino acids in a unique steric conformation, which may be “linear” or “conformational”. See, for example, Epitope Mapping Protocols in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol.66, G. E. Morris, Ed. (1996).
• a protein and an interaction molecule e.g., an antibody
• an interaction molecule e.g., an antibody
• the interaction sites span over amino acid residues that are separate from each other in a protein.
• Antibodies 25 NAI-1539599961v1 may be screened depending on competitiveness of binding to the same epitope by conventional techniques known by a person skilled in the art. For example, studies on competition or cross-competition may be conducted to obtain antibodies that compete or cross-compete with each other for binding to antigens.
• isolated antibody is intended to refer to an antibody that is substantially free of other antibodies that have different antigenic specificities (e.g., an isolated antibody that specifically binds a DLL3 protein is substantially free of antibodies that specifically bind antigens other than DLL3 proteins).
• An isolated antibody that specifically binds a human DLL3 protein may, however, have cross-reactivity to other antigens, such as DLL3 proteins from other species.
• an isolated antibody can be substantially free of other cellular material and/or chemicals.
• DLL3 antibodies for use in the DLL3-ADCs described herein include, but are not limited to, chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, human antibodies, and single-domain antibodies.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprise a DLL3 antibody comprising at least one VHH that specifically binds to DLL3.
• a DLL3 antibody may be a single-domain antibody and comprising one VHH.
• a single-domain antibody is able to bind selectively to a specific antigen (e.g., DLL3).
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprise a DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH fused to an immunoglobulin Fc region, for example, an Fc region of IgG (e.g., IgG4 or IgG1).
• the Fc region is an Fc region of human IgG1.
• the VHH is conjugated directly or indirectly to the N-terminus of the Fc.
• a VHH-Fc fusion comprises two VHHs and an immunoglobulin Fc region, wherein each of the VHH directly or indirectly 26 NAI-1539599961v1 conjugated to a chain of the Fc.
• each of the VHHs is conjugated directly or indirectly to the N-terminus of the Fc chain. See, for example, Figure 1A.
• a VHH-Fc fusion comprise two chains, wherein each of the two chains comprises, from the N terminus to the C terminus, a VHH, a hinge region, a CH2, and a CH3.
• one or more linkers may present between any two of the VHH, the hinge region, the CH2, and the CH3.
• the two chains of the VHH-Fc fusion are identical to each other.
• the two chains of the VHH-Fc fusion are different from each other.
• the first chain of the VHH-Fc fusion comprises a first VHH which is different from the VHH of the second chain.
• the CH3 domains of the two chains are modified to facilitate production of the VHH-Fc fusion, such as by introducing knob-into-hole mutations.
• a chain of a VHH- Fc fusion may not comprise a CH1 between the VHH and the hinge region, and thus is different from a conventionally defined heavy chain of an antibody.
• the term “heavy chain” as used herein may also be interpreted as referring to a chain of a VHH-Fc fusion protein.
• VHH molecules derived from Camelidae antibodies are among the smallest intact antigen-binding domains known (approximately 15 kDa, or 10 times smaller than a conventional IgG) and hence are well suited towards delivery to dense tissues and for accessing the limited space between macromolecules.
• VHHs as disclosed herein may be made by the skilled artisan according to methods known in the art or any future method. For example, VHHs may be obtained using methods known in the art such as by immunizing a camel and obtaining hybridoma's therefrom, or by cloning a library of VHHs of the disclosure using molecular biology techniques known in the art and subsequent selection by using phage display.
• a VHH can be obtained by immunization of llamas or alpacas with the desired antigen and subsequent isolation of the mRNA coding for single-domain heavy-chain antibodies.
• a gene library of single- domain antibodies containing several million clones is produced. Screening techniques like phage display and ribosome display help to identify the clones binding the antigen.
• One technique is phage display in which a library of (e.g., human) antibodies is synthesized on phages, the library is screened with the antigen of interest or an antibody-binding portion thereof, and the phage that binds the antigen is isolated, from which one may obtain the immunoreactive fragments.
• the VHHs can be obtained (1) by isolating the VHH domain of a naturally occurring heavy chain antibody; (2) by expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding a naturally occurring VHH domain; (3) by “humanization” (as described below) of a naturally occurring VHH domain or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding a such humanized VHH domain; (4) by “camelization” of a naturally occurring VH domain from any animal species, in particular a species of mammal, such as from a human being, or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a camelized VH domain; (5) by “camelization” of a “domain antibody” or “Dab” as described by Ward et al (supra), or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a camelized VH domain; (6) using synthetic or semi-synthetic techniques for preparing proteins, polypeptides or other
• Single-domain antibodies are usually generated by PCR cloning of variable domain repertoire from blood, lymph node, or spleen cDNA obtained from immunized animals into a phage display vector.
• Antigen-specific single-domain antibodies are commonly selected by panning phase libraries on immobilized antigen, for example, antigen coated onto the plastic surface of a test tube, biotinylated antigens immobilized on Streptavidin beads, or membrane proteins expressed on the surface of cells.
• a VHH may be truncated at the N-terminus or C-terminus such that it comprises only a partial FRW1 and/or FRW4, or lacks one or both of those framework regions, so long as the VHH substantially maintains antigen binding and specificity (e.g., substantially maintained, for example, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%).
• DLL3 antibodies of the DLL3-ADCs described herein may be monospecific, bispecific, trispecific, or of greater multispecificity. Such agents may include antibodies.
• Multispecific antibodies such as bispecific antibodies, are monoclonal antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different targets (e.g., antigens) or two different epitopes on the same target (e.g., a bispecific antibody directed to DLL3 with a first binding domain for a first epitope of DLL3, and a second binding domain for a second epitope of DLL3).
• the multispecific (e.g., bispecific) antibodies can be constructed based on the sequences of the antibodies described herein.
• the multispecific antibodies described herein are bispecific antibodies.
• bispecific antibodies are mouse, chimeric, human, or humanized antibodies.
• one of the binding specificities of the multispecific antibody is for DLL3 and the other is for any other target (e.g., antigen).
• a multispecific (e.g., bispecific) antibody can comprise more than one target (e.g., antigen) binding domain, in which different binding domains are specific for different targets (e.g., a first binding domain that binds to DLL3 and a second binding domain that binds another target (e.g., antigen), such as an immune checkpoint regulator (e.g., a negative checkpoint regulator)).
• multispecific (e.g., bispecific) antibody molecules can bind more than one (e.g., two or more) epitopes on the same target (e.g., antigen).
• one of the binding specificities is DLL3 and the other is for one or more of Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), CD80, CD86, Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), Programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2), Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3; 29 NAI-1539599961v1 also known as CD223), Galectin-3, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), T-cell membrane protein 3 (TIM3), Galectin-9 (GAL9), B7-H1, B7-H3, B7-H4, T-Cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT/Vstm3/WUCAM/VSIG9), V-domain Ig suppress
• Methods that can be used to calculate the identity of the aligned nucleic acids or polypeptides include those described in Computational Molecular Biology, (Lesk, A. M., ed.), 1988, New York: Oxford University Press; Biocomputing Informatics and Genome Projects, (Smith, D. W., ed.), 1993, New York: Academic Press; Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, (Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds.), 1994, New Jersey: Humana Press; von Heinje, G., 1987, Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, 30 NAI-1539599961v1 New York: Academic Press; Sequence Analysis Primer, (Gribskov, M.
• Polynucleotide or “nucleic acid,” as used interchangeably herein, refers to polymers of nucleotides of any length and includes DNA and RNA.
• the nucleotides can be deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, modified nucleotides or bases, and/or their analogs, or any substrate that can be incorporated into a polymer by DNA or RNA polymerase or by a synthetic reaction.
• a polynucleotide may comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and their analogs.
• a cell that produces a binding molecule of the present disclosure may include a parent hybridoma cell, as well as bacterial and eukaryotic host cells into which nucleic acids encoding the antibodies have been introduced.
• the left-hand end of any single-stranded polynucleotide sequence disclosed herein is the 5’ end; the left-hand direction of double-stranded polynucleotide sequences is referred to as the 5’ direction.
• RNA transcripts The direction of 5’ to 3’ addition of nascent RNA transcripts is referred to as the transcription direction; sequence regions on the DNA strand having the same sequence as the RNA transcript that are 5’ to the 5’ end of the RNA transcript are referred to as “upstream sequences”; sequence regions on the DNA strand having the same sequence as the RNA transcript that are 3’ to the 3’ end of the RNA transcript are referred to as “downstream sequences.”
• upstream sequences sequence regions on the DNA strand having the same sequence as the RNA transcript that are 3’ to the 3’ end of the RNA transcript are referred to as “downstream sequences.”
• vector refers to a nucleic acid vehicle which can have a polynucleotide inserted therein. When the vector allows for the expression of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide inserted therein, the vector is called an expression vector.
• the vector can have carried genetic material elements expressed in a host cell by transformation, transduction, or transfection into the host cell.
• Vectors are well known by a person skilled in the art, including, but not limited to plasmids, phages, cosmids, artificial chromosome such as yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) or P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC); phage such as ⁇ phage or M13 phage and animal virus.
• the animal viruses that can be used as vectors include, but are not limited to, retrovirus (including lentivirus), adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpes virus (such as herpes simplex virus), pox virus, baculovirus, papillomavirus, papova virus (such as SV40).
• retrovirus including lentivirus
• adenovirus adeno-associated virus
• herpes virus such as herpes simplex virus
• pox virus baculovirus
• papillomavirus papova virus
• a vector may comprise multiple elements for controlling expression, including, but not limited to, a promoter sequence, a transcription initiation sequence, an enhancer sequence, a selection element, and a reporter gene.
• a vector may comprise an origin of replication.
• the term “host cell,” as used herein, refers to a cell into which a vector can be introduced, including, but not limited to, a prokaryotic cell such as E. coli or Bacillus subtilis, a fungal cell such as yeast cell or Aspergillus, an insect cell such as S2 Drosophila cell or Sf9, and an animal cell such as fibroblast, CHO cell, COS cell, NSO cell, HeLa cell, BHK cell, HEK 293 cell or human cell.
• the term “transfection” or “transfect,” as used herein, refers to a process by which nucleic acids are introduced into eukaryotic cells, particularly mammalian cells.
• Protocols and techniques for transfection include but not limited to lipid transfection and chemical and physical methods such as electroporation.
• a number of transfection techniques are well known in the art and are disclosed herein. See, e.g., Graham et al., 1973, Virology 52:456; Sambrook et al., 2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, supra; Davis et al., 1986, Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, Elsevier; Chu et al, 1981, Gene 13:197.
• the DLL3-ADCs disclosed herein comprise a DLL3 antibody.
• DLL3 antibodies includes, but not limited to, a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a human antibody, or a single-domain antibody.
• DLL3 antibodies of the disclosure including, for example, antibodies comprising at least one VHH domain, are characterized by particular functional features or properties of the antibodies.
• the antibodies have one or more of the following properties: (a) bind to human DLL3, cyno DLL3 and mouse DLL3 with EC 50 at nM grade, as measured by ELISA or FACS; (b) show dose-dependent internalization potency in human cells engineered to express DLL3 expressing; and (c) bind to human DLL3 extracellular domain (ECD) with a KD no more than 0.1 nM, as measured by SPR.
• ECD extracellular domain
• a DLL3-ADC disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody that binds to cell surface DLL3 with high affinity.
• the binding of an antibody, and therefore of the DLL3- ADC of which the antibody is part, can be assessed using one or more techniques well established in the art, for example, ELISA.
• the binding specificity of a DLL3-ADC can also be determined by monitoring binding of the DLL3-ADC to cells expressing a DLL3 protein, e.g., by flow cytometry.
• an antibody can be tested by a flow cytometry assay (e.g., FACS) in which the DLL3-ADC is reacted with a cell line that expresses human DLL3, such as CHO cells and 293 cells that have been transfected to express DLL3 on their cell surface.
• a flow cytometry assay e.g., FACS
• the binding of the DLL3-ADC including the binding 32 NAI-1539599961v1 kinetics (e.g., KD value) can be tested in BiacoreTM binding assays.
• Still other suitable binding assays include ELISA assays, for example using a recombinant DLL3 protein.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein may bind to a cell surface DLL3 (e.g., human DLL3 ECD) protein with a KD of 1 x 10 -7 M or less, 5 x 10 -8 M or less, 2 x 10 -8 M or less, 5 x 10 -9 M or less, 4 x 10 -9 M or less, 3 x 10 -9 M or less, 2 x 10 -9 M or less, 1 x 10 -9 M or less, 5 x 10 -10 M or less, or 1 x 10 -10 M or less.
• a cell surface DLL3 e.g., human DLL3 ECD
• KD a cell surface DLL3 protein with a KD of 1 x 10 -7 M or less, 5 x 10 -8 M or less, 2 x 10 -8 M or less, 5 x 10 -9 M or less, 4 x 10 -9 M or less, 3 x 10 -9 M or less, 2 x 10 -9 M or less, 1
• SPR surface plasmon resonance
• BIAcore Pulposi Biosensor AB, Uppsala, Sweden and Piscataway, N.J.
• EC 50 which is also termed as “half maximal effective concentration” refers to the concentration of a drug, antibody or toxicant which induces a response halfway between the baseline and maximum after a specified exposure time. In the context of the present disclosure, EC 50 is expressed in the unit of “nM”.
• the antibodies of the disclosure bind to cynomolgus monkey or mouse DLL3 at an EC50 of no more than or about 10 nM, 9 nM, 8 nM, 7 nM, 6 nM, 5 nM, 4 nM, 3 nM, 2 nM, 1 nM, 0.9 nM, 0.8 nM, 0.7 nM, 0.6 nM, 0.5 nM, 0.4 nM, 0.3 nM, 0.2 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.09 nM, 0.08 nM, 0.07 nM, 0.06 nM, 0.05 nM, 0.04 nM, 0.03 nM, 0.02 nM, or 0.01 nM, as measured by FACS.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH, such as a VHH), wherein the VH 33 NAI-1539599961v1 comprises CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, such as a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc.
• VH heavy chain variable domain
• CDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 7
• CDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 8
• CDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or 9.
• the CDR numbering are according to a combination of Kabat and AbM numbering.
• the extent of the framework region and CDRs can be precisely identified using methodology known in the art, for example, by the Kabat definition, the Chothia definition, the AbM definition, the contact definition, the IMGT definition (all of which are well known in the art) and any combinations thereof. See, e.g., Kabat, E.A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest (Fifth Edition), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No.91-3242; Chothia et al., (1989) Nature 342:877; Chothia, C. et al. (1987) J. Mol.
• variable heavy sequence e.g., CDRl, CDR2 and CDR3
• CDR3 e.g., CDR3
• VH, VL or VHH CDRs Two antibodies having the same VH, VL or VHH CDRs means that their CDRs are identical when determined by the same approach (e.g., the Kabat, AbM, Chothia, Contact, and IMGT numbering approaches as known in the art).
• Variable regions and CDRs in an antibody sequence can be identified according to general rules that have been developed in the art (for example, the Kabat, AbM, Chothia, Contact, and IMGT numbering system) or by aligning the sequences against a database of known variable regions.
• sequences are analyzed using the Abysis database, which integrates sequence data from Kabat, IMGT and the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with structural data from the PDB. See Dr. Andrew C. R. Martin's book chapter Protein Sequence and Structure Analysis of Antibody Variable Domains. In: Antibody Engineering Lab Manual (Ed.: Duebel, S. and Kontermann, R., Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, ISBN-13: 978-3540413547, also available on the website bioinforg.uk/abs).
• the Abysis database website further includes general rules that have been developed for identifying CDRs which can be used in accordance with the teachings herein.
• the DLL3 antibody (such as a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc, e.g., a VHH-Fc fusion) comprises at least one VH comprising one, two, and/or three heavy chain CDRs as described in Table 1 or Table 2.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH), such as a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc, wherein the VH comprises FRW1-CDR1-FRW2-CDR2-FRW3-CDR3- FRW4, and wherein CDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 7, CDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 8, and CDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or 9.
• VH heavy chain variable domain
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody (such as an anti-DLL3 single domain antibody, a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc) comprising one, two, or all three CDRs of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody (such as an anti- DLL3 single domain antibody, a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc) comprising one, two, or all three CDRs of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:15.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody (such as an anti-DLL3 single domain antibody, a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc) comprising one, two, or all three CDRs of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises a camelid VHH.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which is humanized. In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework. [0098] In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1 having an amino acid sequence of the CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR2 having an amino acid sequence of the CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR3 having an amino acid sequence of the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1 and a CDR2 having amino acid sequences of the CDR1 and the CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and 2, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1 and a CDR3 having amino acid sequences of the CDR1 and the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 38 NAI-1539599961v1 and 3, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR2 and a CDR3 having amino acid sequences of the CDR2 and the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 and 3, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1, a CDR2, and a CDR3 having amino acid sequences of the CDR1, the CDR2, and the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, and 3, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody (such as an anti-DLL3 single domain antibody, a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc) comprising one, two, or all three CDRs of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody (such as an anti-DLL3 single domain antibody, a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc) comprising one, two, or all three CDRs of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:15.
• CDR sequences can be determined according to well-known numbering systems. In some embodiments, the CDRs are according to IMGT numbering.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1 having an amino acid sequence of the CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR2 having an amino acid sequence of the CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR3 having an amino acid sequence of the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1 and a CDR2 having amino acid sequences of the CDR1 and the CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7 and 8, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1 and a CDR3 having amino acid sequences of the CDR1 and the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7 and 9, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR2 and a CDR3 having amino acid sequences of the CDR2 and the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 and 9, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a CDR1, a CDR2, and a CDR3 having amino acid sequences of the CDR1, the 39 NAI-1539599961v1 CDR2, and the CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7, 8, and 9, respectively.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody (such as an anti-DLL3 single domain antibody, a VHH or a VHH conjugated to an Fc) comprising one, two, or all three CDRs of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.
• CDR sequences can be determined according to well-known numbering systems.
• the CDRs are according to IMGT numbering. In some embodiments, the CDRs are according to Kabat numbering. In other embodiments, the CDRs are according to Chothia numbering. In other embodiments, the CDRs are according to Contact numbering. In some embodiments, the CDRs are according to AbM numbering.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises a camelid VHH. In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody which is humanized. In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework.
• a DLL3-ADC comprising a DLL3 antibody comprising the following structure: FRW1-CDR1-FRW2-CDR2-FRW3-CDR3- FRW4, wherein (i) the CDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, or SEQ ID NO:27; (ii) the CDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:56, or SEQ ID NO:30; and/or (iii) the CDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:26, or SEQ ID NO:29.
• a DLL3- ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises a camelid VHH. In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which is humanized. In some embodiments, a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC comprises the exemplary amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; the CDR2 comprises the exemplary amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and the CDR3 comprises the exemplary amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to IMGT numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:20; the CDR2 is according to IMGT numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:21; and the CDR3 is according to IMGT numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence 40 NAI-1539599961v1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:22.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to Kabat numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:23; the CDR2 is according to Kabat numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and the CDR3 is according to Kabat numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to Chothia numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:24; the CDR2 is according to Chothia numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:25; and the CDR3 is according to Chothia numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:26.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to Contact numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:27; the CDR2 is according to Contact numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:28 or 56; and the CDR3 is according to Contact numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:29.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to AbM numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; the CDR2 is according to AbM numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:30; and the CDR3 is according to AbM numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises a camelid VHH.
• DLL3- ADC comprising a DLL3 antibody which is humanized.
• a DLL3- ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC comprises the exemplary amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7; the CDR2 comprises the exemplary amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8; and the CDR3 comprises the exemplary amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to IMGT numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:42; the CDR2 is according to IMGT numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43; and the CDR3 is according to IMGT numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:44.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to Kabat numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:45; the CDR2 is according to Kabat numbering, comprising the amino 41 NAI-1539599961v1 acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8; and the CDR3 is according to Kabat numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to Chothia numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:46; the CDR2 is according to Chothia numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:47; and the CDR3 is according to Chothia numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:48.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to Contact numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:49; the CDR2 is according to Contact numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:50; and the CDR3 is according to Contact numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:51.
• the CDR1 of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC is according to AbM numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7; the CDR2 is according to AbM numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:52; and the CDR3 is according to AbM numbering, comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises a camelid VHH.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which is humanized.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody which comprises an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 comprising a single domain antibody comprising one or more framework(s) derived from a VHH domain comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14.
• the DLL3- ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a single domain antibody comprising one or more framework(s) derived from a VHH domain comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:15.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a single domain antibody comprising one or more framework(s) derived from a VHH domain comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.
• the DLL3-ADC provided herein comprises a single domain antibody which is a humanized single domain antibody. Framework regions described herein are determined based upon the boundaries of the CDR numbering system.
• the framework regions are the amino acid residues surrounding the CDRs in the variable region 42 NAI-1539599961v1 in the format, from the N-terminus to C-terminus: FRW1-CDR1-FRW2-CDR2- FRW3- CDR3-FRW4.
• FRW1 is defined as the amino acid residues N-terminal to the CDR1 amino acid residues as defined by, e.g., the IMGT numbering system, the Kabat numbering system, the Chothia numbering system, the Contact numbering system, or the AbM numbering system
• FRW2 is defined as the amino acid residues between CDR1 and CDR2 amino acid residues as defined by, e.g., the IMGT numbering system, the Kabat numbering system, the Chothia numbering system, the Contact numbering system, or the AbM numbering system
• FRW3 is defined as the amino acid residues between CDR2 and CDR3 amino acid residues as defined by, e.g., the IMGT numbering system, the Kabat numbering system, the Chothia numbering system, the Contact numbering system, or the AbM numbering system
• FRW4 is defined as the amino acid residues C-terminal to the CDR3 amino acid residues as defined by, e.g., the
• the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC comprising an isolated DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH domain having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC comprising a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC comprising an isolated DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH domain having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:15. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC comprising a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:15.
• the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC comprising an isolated DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH domain having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC comprising a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a heavy chain variable domain (VH) (such as a VHH), wherein the VH comprises or consists of: (a) an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16; (b) an amino acid sequence which is at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16; or 43 NAI-1539599961v1 (c) an amino acid sequence with addition, deletion and/or substitution of one or more (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10) amino acids compared with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• VH heavy chain variable domain
• the percent identity between two amino acid sequences can be determined using the algorithm of E. Meyers and W. Miller (Comput. Appl. Biosci., 4:11-17 (1988)) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4.
• the percent identity between two amino acid sequences can be determined by the algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (J. Mol.
• protein (e.g., antibody) sequences of the present disclosure can further be used as a “query sequence” to perform a search against public databases to, for example, identify related sequences. Such searches can be performed using the XBLAST program (version 2.0) of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol.215:403-10.
• Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al, (1997) Nucleic Acids Res.25(17):3389-3402.
• the default parameters of the respective programs e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST
• XBLAST and NBLAST can be used. See www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
• the amino acid sequence of a VH (such as a VHH) can be at least 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• DLL3 antibodies may contain conservative substitution or modification of amino acids in the variable regions of the heavy chain and/or light chain, such as VH or VHH. It is understood in the art that certain conservative sequence modification can be made which do not remove antigen binding. See, e.g., Brummell et al. (1993) Biochem 32:1180-8; de Wildt et al.
• the term “conservative substitution,” as used herein, refers to an amino acid substitution which would not disadvantageously affect or change the essential properties of a protein/polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence.
• a conservative substitution may be introduced by standard techniques known in the art such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis.
• Conservative amino acid substitutions include substitutions wherein an amino acid residue is substituted with another amino acid residue having a similar side chain, for example, a residue physically or functionally similar (such as, having similar size, shape, charge, chemical property including the capability of forming covalent bond or hydrogen bond, etc.) to the corresponding amino acid residue.
• amino acid residues that have similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids having alkaline side chains (for example, lysine, arginine and histidine), amino acids having acidic side chains (for example, aspartic acid and glutamic acid), amino acids having uncharged polar side chains (for example, glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine, tryptophan), amino acids having nonpolar side chains (for example, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine), amino acids having ⁇ -branched side chains (such as threonine, valine, isoleucine) and amino acids having aromatic side chains (for example, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine).
• alkaline side chains for example, lysine, arginine and histidine
• amino acids having acidic side chains
• a corresponding amino acid residue is preferably substituted with another amino acid residue from the same side-chain family.
• Methods for identifying amino acid conservative substitutions are well known in the art (see, for example, Brummell et al., Biochem.32: 1180-1187 (1993); Kobayashi et al., Protein Eng. 12(10): 879-884 (1999); and Burks et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 412-417 (1997), which are incorporated herein by reference).
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising at least one VHH, and the VHH comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH which has the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH fused to an Fc region of human IgG1 or IgG4 (referred to herein as a VHH-Fc fusion), wherein the VHH comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH and an Fc region of human IgG1.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody which is a humanized antibody comprising a VHH and an Fc region of 45 NAI-1539599961v1 human IgG1.
• an antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprises a VHH domain comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16, and a Fc region comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:17.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:4, 5, or 10.
• a DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a homodimer of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:4, 5, or 10.
• the addition, deletion and/or substitution of at least one of the amino acids in the VHH region is not in any of the CDR sequences, but in the framework (FRW) sequences.
• an antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof as described above may comprise one or more substitutions of the amino acids in the framework sequences, e.g., FRW1, FRW2, FRW3, and/or FRW4 of the VHH region.
• an antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof as provided herein comprises any suitable framework region (FRW) sequences, as long as the antigen- binding domains can specifically bind to DLL3.
• FRW framework region
• an antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof may contain modification of one or more amino acids in the variable regions and/or constant regions, including wherein the modification is a conservative substitution. It is understood in the art that certain conservative sequence modifications can be made which do not remove antigen binding. See, e.g., Brummell et al. (1993) Biochem 32:1180-8; de Wildt et al. (1997) Prot. Eng.10:835-41; Komissarov et al. (1997) J. Biol.
• An antigen-binding domain of a DLL3 antibody of a DLL3-ADC is not limited to the VHH form and may adopt a variety of other formats, such as but not limited to, a Fab, a Fab', a F(ab')2, an Fv fragment, a single-chain antibody molecule (scFv).
• an antigen-binding domain is a Fv fragment with a VH region and a VL region in separate chains held together by tight, non-covalent interactions.
• Fc Region Comprising IgG Constant Domains [00118]
• a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein comprises a DLL3 antibody that further comprises an Fc region comprising one or more human IgG constant domains.
• a human IgG constant domain may be a human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 constant domain, preferably a 46 NAI-1539599961v1 human IgG1 constant domain.
• An example of the amino acid sequence of an Fc region comprising human IgG1 constant regions is set forth in SEQ ID NO:17.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 5, and 10.
• the Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region, such as a wild-type Fc region or a Fc variant comprising one or more amino acid modifications (Leu234Ala/Leu235Ala or LALA) that alters the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or other effector functions.
• the Fc modification comprises a LALA mutation, e.g., mutations of L234A and L235A, according to EU numbering as in Kabat et al.
• the Kabat numbering system is generally used when referring to a residue in the variable domain (approximately residues 1-107 of the light chain and residues 1-113 of the heavy chain) (e.g., Kabat et al., Sequences of Immunological Interest.5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)).
• the “EU numbering system” or “EU index” is generally used when referring to a residue in an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region (e.g., the EU index reported in Kabat et al., supra). See, www.imgt.org/IMGTScientificChart/Numbering/Hu_IGHGnber.html.
• EU numbering as in Kabat or “EU index as in Kabat” refers to the residue numbering of the human IgG1 EU antibody. Unless stated otherwise herein, references to residue numbers in the constant domain of antibodies means residue numbering by the EU numbering system. [00120] Modifications of antibodies are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. Covalent modifications include reacting targeted amino acid residues of an antibody with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selected side chains or the N- or C- terminal residues of the antibody, such as those disclosed herein.
• a nucleic acid molecule encoding a DLL3 antibody as disclosed herein can be readily selected by one of skill in the art.
• the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3- ADC provided herein may be generated using a nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic 47 NAI-1539599961v1 acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14.
• the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC provided herein may be generated using a nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:15.
• the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC provided herein may be generated using a nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.
• the percent identity is derived from the degeneracy of the genetic code, and the encoded protein sequences remain unchanged.
• Host Cells may be any cell which is suitable for expressing the antibodies of the present disclosure, for example, yeast, bacterial, plant, and mammalian cells.
• Mammalian host cells for expressing the antibodies of the present disclosure include Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO cells) (including dhfr CHO cells, described in Urlaub and Chasin, (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. ScL USA 77:4216-4220, used with a DHFR selectable marker, e.g., as described in R. J. Kaufman and P. A. Sharp (1982) J. Mol. Biol. 159:601-621), 293F cells, NSO myeloma cells, COS cells and SP2 cells.
• another expression system is the GS gene expression system disclosed in WO 87/04462, WO 89/01036, and EP 338,841.
• monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV4010 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth in suspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen Virol.36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL); Chinese hamster ovary cells/-DHFR (CHO, Urlaub et al., 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216); mouse Sertoli cells (TM4, Mather, 1980, Biol.
• MRC-5 cells MRC-5 cells
• FS4 cells mouse myeloma cells, such as NSO (e.g., RCB0213, 1992, Bio/Technology 10:169) and SP2/0 cells (e.g., SP2/0-Ag14 cells, ATCC CRL 1581); rat myeloma cells, such as YB2/0 cells (e.g., YB2/3HL.P2.G11.16Ag.20 cells, ATCC CRL 1662); PER.C6 cells; and a human hepatoma line (Hep G2).
• NSO e.g., RCB0213, 1992, Bio/Technology 10:169
• SP2/0 cells e.g., SP2/0-Ag14 cells, ATCC CRL 1581
• rat myeloma cells such as YB2/0 cells (e.g., YB2/3HL.P2.G11.16Ag.20 cells, ATCC CRL 1662); PER.C6
• CHO cells are one of the cell lines that can be used herein, with CHO-K1, DUK-B11, CHO-DP12, CHO-DG44 (Somatic Cell and Molecular Genetics 12:555 (1986)), and Lec13 being exemplary host cell lines.
• CHO-K1, DUK- 48 NAI-1539599961v1 B11, DG44 or CHO-DP12 host cells these may be altered such that they are deficient in their ability to fucosylate proteins expressed therein.
• the host cells herein are selected from CHO, CHO-S, HEK, HEK293, HEK-293F, Expi293F, PER.C6 or NSO cells or lymphocytic cells.
• Suitable prokaryotes for this purpose include eubacteria, such as Gram-negative or Gram-positive organisms, for example, Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia, e.g., E. coli, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, e.g., Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia, e.g., Serratia marcescens, and Shigella, as well as Bacilli such as B. subtilis and B. licheniformis, Pseudomonas such as P. aeruginosa, and Streptomyces.
• Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia, e.g., E. coli, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Proteus
• Salmonella e.g., Salmonella typhimurium
• Serratia e.g., Serratia marcescens
• Shigella as
• eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous fungi or yeast are also suitable cloning or expression hosts for antibody-encoding vectors.
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or common baker’s yeast is the most commonly used among lower eukaryotic host microorganisms.
• a number of other genera, species, and strains are commonly available and useful herein, such as Schizosaccharomyces pombe; Kluyveromyces hosts such as, e.g., K. lactis, K. fragilis (ATCC 12,424), K. bulgaricus (ATCC 16,045), K. wickerhamii (ATCC 24,178), K.
• waltii ATCC 56,500
• K. drosophilarum ATCC 36,906
• K. thermotolerans K. marxianus
• yarrowia EP 5402,226
• Pichia pastoris EP 183,070
• Candida Trichoderma reesia
• Neurospora crassa Neurospora crassa
• Schwanniomyces such as Schwanniomyces occidentalis
• filamentous fungi such as, e.g., Neurospora, Penicillium, Tolypocladium, and Aspergillus hosts such as A. nidulans and A. niger.
• the DLL3-ADCs comprises a DLL3 antibody conjugated to a drug via a linker.
• the linker and drug may be collectively referred to as a “linker-drug” herein.
• the linker structure is: 49 NAI-1539599961v1 or a salt thereof, wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the drug.
• the linker structure is an (R)-epimer of the linker structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the linker structure is or a salt thereof.
• the linker structure is an (S)-epimer of the linker structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the linker structure is or a salt thereof.
• the drug is an auristatin, for example, MMAE. The structure of MMAE is provided below: .
• MMAE is also known as (2S)-N-[(2S)-1-[[(3R,4S,5S)-1-[(2S)-2-[(1R,2R)-3-[[(1S,2R)-1- hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxopropyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3- methoxy-5-methyl-1-oxoheptan-4-yl]-methylamino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-3-methyl-2- (methylamino)butanamide.
• the drug is a topoisomerase inhibitor, for example, camptothecin or a derivative thereof, such as Exatecan.
• the structure of Exatecan is provided below: , which is also known as (1S,9S)-1-amino-9-ethyl-5-fluoro-9-hydroxy-4-methyl-1,2,3,9,12,15- hexahydro-10H,13H-benzo[de]pyrano[3′,4′:6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinoline-10,13-dione.
• the linker-drug is Linker-Drug (1): 51 NAI-1539599961v1 or a salt thereof, wherein “Ac” is an acetyl group.
• Linker-Drug (1) (or a salt thereof) comprises a linker conjugated to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE).
• MMAE monomethyl auristatin E
• the linker-drug is an (R)-epimer of Linker-Drug (1) or a salt thereof.
• the linker- drug is , (which is also referred to herein as Linker-Drug (1) Form A or Linker-Drug (1-A)) or a salt thereof.
• the linker-drug is an (S)-epimer of Linker-Drug (1) or a salt thereof.
• the linker-drug is 52 NAI-1539599961v1
• linker-drug is Linker-Drug (2): or a salt thereof, wherein “Ac” is an acetyl group.
• Linker-Drug (2) (or a salt thereof) comprises a linker conjugated to Exatecan.
• the linker-drug is an (R)- epimer of Linker-Drug (2) or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the linker-drug is 53 NAI-1539599961v1
• linker-drug (2) Form A or Linker-Drug (2-A) or a salt thereof.
• the linker-drug is an (S)-epimer of Linker-Drug (2) or a salt thereof.
• the linker-drug is , (which is also referred to herein as Linker-Drug (2) Form B or Linker-Drug (2-B)) or a salt thereof.
• Other suitable linker-drug can be found in the international PCT patent application nos. PCT/JP2021/162299, PCT/JP2022/036852 (international patent application publication no.
• salt includes, for example, salts of inorganic acids, salts of organic acids, salts of inorganic bases, salts of organic bases, and salts of amino acids.
• salts of inorganic acids include salts of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.
• salts of organic acids include salts of with formic acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and p- toluenesulfonic acid.
• salts of inorganic bases include salts of alkali metals (e.g., sodium, potassium), alkaline earth metals (e.g., calcium, magnesium), other metals such as zinc and aluminum, and ammonium.
• salts of organic bases include salts of trimethylamine, triethylamine, propylenediamine, ethylenediamine, pyridine, ethanolamine, monoalkyl ethanolamines, dialkyl ethanolamines, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine.
• salts of amino acids include salts of basic amino acids (e.g., arginine, histidine, lysine, ornithine) and acidic amino acids (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid).
• the salt is preferably a salt of an inorganic acid (e.g., hydrogen chloride) or a salt of an organic acid (e.g., trifluoroacetic acid).
• the antibody can be modified before conjugation to the linker-drug. Modification of the antibody can produce a modified antibody that contains one or more reactive groups suitable for conjugation to the linker-drug. [00136] In some embodiments, the antibody can be modified at one or more amino acid residues to provide one or more reactive groups suitable for conjugation to the linker-drug. For example, amino acid residues and side chains thereof in the antibody can be chemically modified, as described below, and conjugated to a linker-drug.
• the point of attachment of the linker-drug (e.g., drug conjugate moiety) to the Ab is through a cysteine or a lysine residue of the DLL3 antibody, as described below.
• the antibody can be conjugated to a linker-drug using chemical conjugation by affinity peptide (CCAP) methods disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No.20210139549A1 (Ajinomoto Co. Inc.), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• CCAP affinity peptide
• a lysine residue of a DLL3 antibody as disclosed herein may be chemically modified by contacting the DLL3 antibody with an affinity peptide conjugated to a thiophenol-activation moiety to react the thiophenol with the 55 NAI-1539599961v1 lysine residue on the antibody to conjugate the affinity peptide to the lysine via a peptide bond as shown below in SCHEMES 1 and 2: .
• SCHEME 2 The modification may occur at a lysine on each chain of the antibody (e.g., K246 or K248 according to the EU numbering), thereby resulting in two conjugation sites as shown in SCHEME 3 below: 56 NAI-1539599961v1
• the lysine residue being modified is any one or more of positions 246, 248, 288, 290, or 317 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317, respectively).
• the lysine residue is K246 and/or K248 according to EU numbering.
• the lysine residue is K248 accordingly to EU numbering.
• K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317 refer to amino acid residues (lysine, Lys, K) of an immunoglobulin identified according to the EU numbering.
• K246 refers to the 150th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10 which is lysine
• K248 refers to the 152nd amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10 which is also lysine
• K288 refers to the 192nd amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10
• K290 refers to the 194th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10
• K317 refers to the 221st amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10.
• K246 refers to the 148th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5 which is lysine
• K248 refers to the 150th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5 which is also lysine
• K288 refers to the 190th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5
• 57 NAI-1539599961v1 K290 refers to the 192nd amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5
• K317 refers to the 219th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5.
• a DLL3 antibody having a side chain lysyl (- (CH2)4NH2) of one or more of its lysine residues modified to -(CH2)4NHCO(CH2)2SH, for example, as depicted in SCHEME 3.
• the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising a CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 as disclosed herein.
• the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH as disclosed herein.
• the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH-Fc fusion as disclosed herein, for example, comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:4, 5, or 10.
• the modified lysine residue is selected from one or more of the following: K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317.
• the modified lysine residue is K246 and/or K248.
• the modified lysine residue is K248.
• the terminal sulfhydryl group may be reacted with a maleimide moiety on a linker- drug, such as the maleimide moiety on Linker-Drug (1) (or a salt thereof), Linker-Drug (1-A) (or a salt thereof), Linker-Drug (1-B) (or a salt thereof), Linker-Drug (2) (or a salt thereof), Linker-Drug (2-A) (or a salt thereof), or Linker-Drug (2-B) (or a salt thereof) to conjugate the linker-drug thereto as follows according to SCHEME 4: SCHEME 4 58 NAI-1539599961v1 [00145]
• the present disclosure provides a method of making a DLL3- ADC of Formula (I) or a salt thereof, as disclosed herein, comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution comprising the DLL3 antibody; b) contacting the solution of a) with an affinity peptide conjugated to a
• the Linker-Drug (1) is Linker-Drug (1-A). In some embodiments, the Linker-Drug (1) is Linker-Drug (1-B). In some embodiments, the Linker-Drug (1) is a mixture of Linker-Drug (1-A) and Linker-Drug (1-B).
• the present disclosure provides a method of making a DLL3-ADC of Formula (II) or a salt thereof, as disclosed herein, comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution comprising the DLL3 antibody; b) contacting the solution of a) with an affinity peptide conjugated to a thiophenol activation moiety; c) contacting the solution of b) with a solution comprising Linker-Drug (2) or a salt thereof: 59 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein the ADC is made.
• the Linker-Drug (2) is Linker-Drug (2-A).
• the Linker-Drug (2) is Linker-Drug (2-B).
• the Linker-Drug (2) is a mixture of Linker-Drug (2-A) and Linker-Drug (2-B).
• the affinity peptide is a peptide of SEQ ID NO:6.
• the affinity peptide conjugated to a thiophenol activation moiety is: , wherein Ac is an acetyl moiety and the lines linking the sulfurs of the cysteine residues represent a disulfide bridge.
• Other suitable affinity peptides and thiophenol activation moieties can be found, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No.20210139549A1.
• the DLL3 antibody is conjugated to a linker-drug via stochastic conjugation to reduced interchain disulfide bonds in the antibody.
• an IgG1 antibody consists of four polypeptide chains, two heavy chains comprising VH, CH1 and Fc (e.g., hinge, CH2 and CH3) domains, and two light chains comprising VL and CL domains, connected by interchain cysteine disulfide (-S-S-) bonds (e.g., two heavy chain- light chain interchain disulfide bonds and two hinge heavy chain-heavy chain interchain disulfide bonds).
• the antibody may comprise two chains comprising VHH domains fused to an Fc (e.g., hinge, CH2 and CH3), where the two chains are linked through two hinge interchain disulfide bonds (see, e.g., Figure 1A).
• the interchain disulfide bond is between two cysteine residues, and broken under reducing conditions, resulting in two reactive cysteine sulfhydryl 60 NAI-1539599961v1 moieties.
• the interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody is between a heavy chain and a light chain. Additionally, or alternatively, the interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody is between two heavy chains. In some embodiments, the interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody is between two VHH chains. In some embodiments, the interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody is between two VHH-Fc chains. In some embodiments, the cysteine residues are in the hinge region of the DLL3 antibody. In some embodiments, the cysteine residue is at any one or more of positions 226 or 229 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as C226 or C229, respectively).
• C226 and C229 refer to amino acid residues (cysteine, Cys, C) of an immunoglobulin identified according to the EU numbering. As it would be understood by one of skill in the art, such numberings accordingly represent amino acid residues of a polypeptide aligned to those identified in an immunoglobulin, such as the one shown in www.imgt.org/IMGTScientificChart/Numbering/Hu_IGHGnber.html.
• C226 refers to the 130 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10, which is cysteine
• C229 refers to the 133 rd amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10 which is also cysteine.
• C226 refers to the 128 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5 which is cysteine
• C229 refers to the 131 st amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4 or 5 which is also cysteine.
• the DLL3 antibodies disclosed herein comprise two interchain disulfide bonds in the hinge region which may be reduced, thereby breaking the bond, and revealing a reactive sulfhydryl moiety that may be conjugated with a maleimide moiety on a linker-drug, such as the maleimide moiety on Linker-Drug (1) (or a salt thereof) or Linker-Drug (2) (or a salt thereof).
• the present disclosure provides a method of making a DLL3- ADC of Formula (I) or a salt thereof, comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution comprising the DLL3 antibody; b) contacting the solution of a) with a reducing agent; c) contacting the solution of b) with a solution comprising Linker-Drug (1) or a salt thereof: 61 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein the ADC is made.
• the Linker-Drug (1) is Linker-Drug (1-A).
• the Linker-Drug (1) is Linker-Drug (1-B).
• the Linker-Drug (1) is a mixture of Linker-Drug (1-A) and Linker-Drug (1-B).
• the present disclosure provides a method of making a DLL3- ADC of Formula (II) or a salt thereof, comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution comprising the DLL3 antibody; b) contacting the solution of a) with a reducing agent; c) contacting the solution of b) with a solution comprising Linker-Drug (2) or a salt thereof: wherein the ADC is made.
• the Linker-Drug (2) is Linker-Drug (2-A).
• the Linker-Drug (2) is Linker-Drug (2-B). In some embodiments, the Linker-Drug (2) is a mixture of Linker-Drug (2-A) and Linker-Drug (2-B).
• the reducing agent is tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP).
• TCEP tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine
• DLL3-ADCS Any of the DLL3 antibodies described herein and any of the linker-drugs or salts thereof as described herein may be conjugated to generate a DLL3-ADC.
• the present disclosure provides an ADC of Formula (I): 62 NAI-1539599961v1
• the ADC is an (R)-epimer of Formula (I) or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the ADC is of Formula (I-A): 63 NAI-1539599961v1
• the ADC is an (S)-epimer of Formula (I) or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the ADC is of Formula (I-B): 64 NAI-1539599961v1
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising: (1) a CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 of a VHH, wherein the VHH comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14, 15 or 16; or (2) at least one VHH, wherein the at least one VHH comprises CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, and wherein: (i) the CDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 7; (ii) the CDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 8; and (iii) the CDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or 9.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising: (a) a CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and a CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3; or (b) a CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7; a CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8; and a CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody further comprising a human IgG constant domain.
• the human IgG is a human 65 NAI-1539599961v1 IgG1.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody further comprising an Fc fragment.
• the Fc fragment comprises a homodimer of an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:17.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising at least one VHH domain.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising two VHH domains, each of which is conjugated to a chain of an Fc fragment.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a homodimer of an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:4, 5, or 10.
• n is 1 in Formula (I), (I-A), or (I-B) (or salt thereof).
• n is 2.
• n is 3.
• n is 4.
• n is 5.
• n is 6.
• n is 7.
• n is 8.
• the present disclosure provides an ADC of Formula (II): (II), or a salt thereof, wherein: n is an integer from 1 to 8, and Ab represents an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”).
• the ADC is an (R)-epimer of Formula (II) or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the ADC is of Formula (II-A): 66 NAI-1539599961v1
• the ADC is an (S)-epimer of Formula (II) or a salt thereof. Accordingly, the ADC is of Formula (II-B): (II-B) or a salt thereof.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising: (1) a CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 of a VHH, wherein the VHH comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:14, 15 or 16; or (2) at least one VHH, wherein the at least one VHH comprises CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, and wherein: (i) the CDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 67 NAI-1539599961v1 7; (ii) the CDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 8; and (iii) the CDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or 9.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising: (a) a CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and a CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3; or (b) a CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7; a CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8; and a CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14-16.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody further comprising a human IgG constant domain.
• the human IgG is a human IgG1.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody further comprising an Fc fragment.
• the Fc fragment comprises a homodimer of an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:17.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising at least one VHH domain.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising two VHH domains, each of which is conjugated to a chain of an Fc fragment.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a homodimer of an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:4, 5, or 10.
• n is 1 in Formula (II), (II-A), or (II-B) (or salt thereof).
• n is 2.
• n is 3.
• n is 4.
• n is 5.
• n is 6.
• n is 7.
• n is 8.
• the DLL3-ADC is of the following Formula (A): 68 NAI-1539599961v1
• each thick shaded line represents a chain of an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”)
• the depicted sulfurs are from cysteine residues of the DLL3 antibody
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: , wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (A).
• the cysteine residues are in the hinge region of the 69 NAI-1539599961v1 DLL3 antibody.
• the cysteine residues form an interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody not conjugated directly or indirectly to X, for example, between two heavy chains, between a heavy chain and a light chain, between two VHH chains, or between two VHH-Fc chains.
• the cysteine residue is at any one or more of positions 226 or 229 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as C226 or C229, respectively).
• X is an (R)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: or a salt thereof, wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (A).
• X is an (S)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: 70 NAI-1539599961v1
• the DLL3-ADC is of the following Formula (B): 71 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein each thick shaded line represents a chain of an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”), the depicted CH2CH2CH2CH2NH moiety is from a lysine residue of the CH2 domain of the DLL3 antibody, and X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: , wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (B).
• DLL3 antibody DLL3 antibody
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof:
• the lysine residue is at any one or more of positions 246, 248, 288, 290, or 317 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317, respectively).
• X is an (R)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: 72 NAI-1539599961v1
• X is an (S)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: 73 NAI-1539599961v1 or a salt thereof, wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (B).
• the DLL3-ADC is of Formula (A), or a salt thereof as depicted above, wherein each thick shaded line represents a chain of an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”), the depicted sulfurs are from cysteine residues of the DLL3 antibody, and X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to each depicted maleimide moiety of Formula (A).
• the cysteine residues are in the hinge region of the DLL3 antibody.
• cysteine residues form an interchain disulfide bridge in a DLL3 antibody not conjugated directly or indirectly to X, for example, between two heavy chains, between a heavy chain and a light chain, between two VHH chains, or between two VHH-Fc chains.
• the cysteine residue is at any one or more of positions 226 or 229 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as C226 or C229, respectively).
• X is an (R)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: 74 NAI-1539599961v1
• X is an (S)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: or a salt thereof, wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (A).
• the DLL3-ADC is of Formula (B) as depicted above, wherein each thick shaded line represents a chain of an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”), the depicted CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 NH moiety is from a lysine residue of the CH2 domain of the DLL3 antibody, and X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: 75 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to each depicted maleimide moiety of Formula (B).
• DLL3 antibody DLL3 antibody
• X represents the structure below or a salt thereof: 75 NAI-1539599961v1 wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to each depicted maleimide moiety of Formula (B).
• the lysine residue is at any one or more of positions 246, 248, 288, 290, or 317 according to EU numbering (also referred to herein as K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317, respectively).
• X is an (R)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: or a salt thereof, wherein the wavy line represents the point of attachment to the rest of the ADC of Formula (B).
• X is an (S)-epimer of the structure above or a salt thereof. Accordingly, X represents: 76 NAI-1539599961v1
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (A) or Formula (B) comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the lysine residue is K248 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 150 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (A) or Formula (B) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 wherein the lysine residue is K248 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 150 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:5.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (A) or Formula (B) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 wherein the lysine residue is K248 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 152 nd amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (A) or Formula (B) comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the lysine residue is K246 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 148 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (A) or Formula (B) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 wherein the lysine residue is K246 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 148 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:5.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (A) or Formula (B) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 wherein the lysine residue is K246 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 150 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10.
• the DLL3-ADC is of the following Formula (C): 77 NAI-1539599961v1
• the DLL3-ADC is an (R)-epimer of Formula (C) or a salt thereof: (C-A)
• the DLL3-ADC is an (S)-epimer of Formula (C), e.g., Formula (C-B), or a salt thereof: 78 NAI-1539599961v1
• the DLL3-ADC is of the following Formula (D): or a salt thereof, wherein each thick shaded line represents a chain of an antibody that binds to DLL3 (“DLL3 antibody”), the depicted CH2CH2CH2CH2NH moiety is from a lysine residue of the CH2 domain of the DLL3 antibody.
• the DLL3-ADC is an (R)-epimer of Formula (D), e.g., Formula (D-A), or a salt thereof: 79 NAI-1539599961v1
• the DLL3-ADC is an (S)-epimer of Formula (D), e.g., Formula (D-B), or a salt thereof: (D-B) [00173]
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (C) or Formula (D) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the lysine residue is K248 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 150 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (C) or Formula (D) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 wherein the lysine residue is K248 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 150 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:5.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (C) or Formula (D) or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 wherein the lysine residue is K152 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 152 nd amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (C), (C-A), (C-B), (D), (D-A), (D-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the lysine residue is K246 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 148 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:4.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (C), (C-A), (C-B), (D), (D-A), (D-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5 wherein the lysine residue is K246 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 148 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:5.
• the DLL3 antibody of Formula (C), (C-A), (C-B), (D), (D-A), (D-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:10 wherein the lysine residue is K246 of the DLL3 antibody, e.g., the 150 th amino acid residue of SEQ ID NO:10.
• the DLL3-ADC is represented by Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof, wherein Ab is DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH comprising one or more CDRs comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 7-9.
• the DLL3-ADC is represented by Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof, wherein Ab is DLL3 antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to one or more of SEQ ID NOs:14-16.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14 and n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14 and n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3- ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker- Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID 81 NAI-1539599961v1 NO:14.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4. In some embodiments, both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4. [00178] In one embodiment, the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15 and n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15 and n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3- ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker- Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16 and n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16 and n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or 82 NAI-1539599961v1 substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3- ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker- Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14 and n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14 and n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II- B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2- B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:14.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains.
• n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15 and n is 2.
• the 83 NAI-1539599961v1 DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15 and n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II- B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2- B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:15.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains.
• n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16 and n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises an antibody comprising a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16 and n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II- B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2- B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the DLL3 antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:16. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a VHH comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to 84 NAI-1539599961v1 SEQ ID NO:16.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4. In some embodiments, both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4. [00183] In some embodiments, the DLL3-ADC is represented by Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof, wherein Ab is DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to one of SEQ ID NOs:4, 5, and 10.
• a cysteine or lysine residue of the DLL3 antibody is modified as disclosed herein and conjugated to a linker-drug as disclosed herein.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody and two or more of Linker-Drug (1), or a salt thereof, conjugated thereto.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody and two or more of Linker-Drug (1-A), or a salt thereof, conjugated thereto.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody and two or more of Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt thereof, conjugated thereto.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4, wherein n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4, wherein n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4. 85 NAI-1539599961v1 [00186]
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5, wherein n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5, wherein n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10, wherein n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10, wherein n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (1), Linker-Drug (1-A), Linker-Drug (1-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID 86 NAI-1539599961v1 NO:10.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains.
• n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody and two or more of Linker-Drug (2), or a salt thereof, conjugated thereto.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4, wherein n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4, wherein n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5, wherein n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5, wherein n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any 87 NAI-1539599961v1 thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10, wherein n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises a DLL3 antibody comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10, wherein n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via the K248 residue of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10. Accordingly, n is 2.
• the DLL3-ADC of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof comprises Linker-Drug (2), Linker-Drug (2-A), Linker-Drug (2-B), or a salt of any thereof, which is conjugated to the DLL3 antibody of Formula (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof via one or more reduced disulfide bridges of each chain of the DLL3 antibody, wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:10.
• the one or more disulfide bridges prior to the reduction are selected from those formed among C226 and C229 of two antibody chains. Accordingly, n is 2 or 4.
• both C226 and C229 of both antibody chains are modified to conjugated directly or indirectly to a linker-drug as disclosed herein, and accordingly, n is 4.
• the DLL3-ADC of the present invention can have superior properties such as long retention time within the body, a high monomer ratio (low aggregation rate), high functional 88 NAI-1539599961v1 substance releasability in human cells, high stability (for example in mouse plasma), and desirable cytotoxicity to target cells (such as DLL3 expressing or overexpressing cancer cells).
• COMPOSITIONS [00193]
• the present disclosure provides a composition comprising DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein.
• a composition may comprise a plurality of DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein, wherein each DLL3-ADC in the composition independently comprises a linker-drug as shown in Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof, wherein n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4.
• each antibody molecule in the composition may be conjugated to 1, 2, 3, or 4 linker-drugs. Therefore, a composition may be characterized by a “drug-to-antibody” ratio (DAR) ranging from about 1 to about 4.
• DAR drug-to-antibody ratio
• a composition comprising a plurality of DLL3- ADCs may exhibit a DAR of about 1 to about 4, about 1 to about 3, about 1 to about 2, about 2 to about 4, about 2 to about 3, about 3 to about 4, about 1.5 to about 2, about 1.8 to about 2, about 1.9 to about 2, about 3.5 to about 4, about 3.6 to about 4, about 3.7 to about 4, about 3.8 to about 4, about 3.9 to about 4, about 3.5 to about 3.9, about 3.6 to about 3.9, about 3.7 to about 3.9, about 3.8 to about 3.9, about 3.5 to about 3.8, about 3.6 to about 3.8, about 3.7 to about 3.8, about 3.5 to about 3.7, about 3.6 to about 3.7, or about 3.5 to about 3.6.
• the DAR is about 1 to about 2. In one embodiment, the DAR is about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, or about 2. In one embodiment, the DAR is about 2 to about 4. In one embodiment, the DAR is about 2, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.4, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, about 3, about 3.1, about 3.2, about 3.3, about 3.4, about 3.5, about 3.6, about 3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9 or about 4.
• the DLL3-ADC comprises a DLL3 antibody as disclosed herein conjugated to a linker-drug as disclosed herein through a lysine residue of the antibody as disclosed herein, such as K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317. Accordingly, provided herein is a composition comprising the DLL3-ADC. In some embodiments, a composition comprising the DLL3-ADC exhibits a DAR of about 1.5 to about 2.5. In some embodiments, the composition exhibits a DAR of 1.5 or greater, 1.6 or greater, 1.7 or greater, 1.8 or greater, or 1.9 or greater.
• the composition exhibits a DAR of 2.5 or less, 2.4 or less, 2.3 or less, 2.2 or less, or 2.1 or less.
• the composition 89 NAI-1539599961v1 exhibits a DAR of 1.6 to 2.4, 1.7 to 2.3, 1.8 to 2.2, or 1.9 to 2.1.
• a composition comprising the DLL3-ADC exhibits a DAR of about 1.9 to about 2.1.
• a composition comprising DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein may exhibit a DAR of about 2, wherein the linker-drugs are conjugated via site specific conjugation, as described herein, to a lysine of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC (e.g., K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317 in the CH2 domain).
• a composition comprising DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein may exhibit a DAR of about 4, wherein the linker-drugs are conjugated to reduced cysteine moieties of an interchain disulfide bridge, e.g., in the hinge region, of the DLL3 antibody of the DLL3-ADC.
• the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a composition of DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (“DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition”).
• a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition may comprise a plurality of DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein, wherein each DLL3-ADC in the pharmaceutical composition independently comprises a linker-drug as shown in Formula (I), (I-A), (I-B), (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof, wherein n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4.
• each antibody molecule in the DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition may be conjugated to 1, 2, 3, or 4 linker-drugs. Therefore, a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition may be characterized by a DAR ranging from about 1 to about 4.
• a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition may exhibit a DAR of about 2, wherein the linker-drugs are conjugated via site specific conjugation, as described herein, to a lysine of a DLL3 antibody (e.g., K246, K248, K288, K290, or K317 of the CH2 domain) of the DLL3-ADC.
• a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition may exhibit a DAR of about 4, wherein the linker-drugs are conjugated to reduced cysteine moieties of an interchain disulfide bridge, e.g., in the hinge region, of a DLL3 antibody.
• a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition comprises 20 mM Histidine. Additionally or alternatively, a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition comprises 5% trehalose. Additionally or alternatively, a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition has a pH of about 5 to about 6, such as 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, or 6.0. In further embodiments, a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition comprises 20 mM histidine and 5% trehalose and has a pH of about 5 to about 6, such as 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 90 NAI-1539599961v1 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, or 6.0.
• a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition comprises 20 mM histidine and 5% trehalose and has a pH of 6.0.
• a pharmaceutical composition of the disclosure may be administered to a subject in need thereof, by various routes, including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intra-arterial, subcutaneous, parenteral, intranasal, intramuscular, intracranial, intracardiac, intraventricular, intratracheal, buccal, rectal, intraperitoneal, intradermal, topical, transdermal, and intrathecal, or otherwise by implantation or inhalation.
• compositions may be formulated into preparations in solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gaseous forms; including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, solutions, suppositories, enemas, injections, inhalants, and aerosols.
• the appropriate formulation and route of administration may be selected according to the intended application and therapeutic regimen.
• Suitable formulations for enteral administration include hard or soft gelatin capsules, pills, tablets, including coated tablets, elixirs, suspensions, syrups or inhalations and controlled release forms thereof.
• Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous or non-aqueous, isotonic, pyrogen-free, sterile liquids (e.g., solutions, suspensions), in which the active ingredient is dissolved, suspended, or otherwise provided (e.g., in a liposome or other microparticulate).
• sterile liquids e.g., solutions, suspensions
• Such liquids may additional contain other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients, such as anti-oxidants, buffers, preservatives, stabilizers, bacteriostats, suspending agents, thickening agents, and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood (or other relevant bodily fluid) of the intended recipient.
• excipients include, for example, water, alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils, and the like.
• suitable isotonic carriers for use in such formulations include Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Solution, or Lactated Ringer's Injection.
• the particular dosage regimen, including dose, timing, and repetition will depend on the particular individual and that individual's medical history, as well as empirical considerations such as pharmacokinetics (e.g., half-life, clearance rate, etc.).
• Frequency of administration may be determined and adjusted over the course of therapy and is based on reducing the number of proliferative or tumorigenic cells, maintaining the reduction of such neoplastic cells, reducing the proliferation of neoplastic cells, or delaying the development of metastasis.
• the dosage administered may be adjusted or attenuated to manage potential side effects and/or toxicity.
• sustained continuous release formulations of a subject therapeutic composition may be appropriate.
• 91 NAI-1539599961v1 It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that appropriate dosages can vary from patient to patient. Determining the optimal dosage will generally involve the balancing of the level of therapeutic benefit against any risk or deleterious side effects.
• the selected dosage level will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the activity of the particular compound, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the compound, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination, the severity of the condition, and the species, sex, age, weight, condition, general health, and prior medical history of the patient.
• the amount of compound and route of administration will ultimately be at the discretion of the physician, veterinarian, or clinician, although generally the dosage will be selected to achieve local concentrations at the site of action that achieve the desired effect without causing substantial harmful or deleterious side-effects.
• a DLL3-ADC of the disclosure may be administered in various ranges.
• the dosage is at least about 100 ⁇ g/kg body weight, at least about 250 ⁇ g/kg body weight, at least about 750 ⁇ g/kg body weight, at least about 3 mg/kg body weight, at least about 5 mg/kg body weight, at least about 10 mg/kg body weight.
• an antibody or antigen binding portion thereof of the disclosure is preferably administered as needed to subjects (or a subject) in need thereof. Determination of the frequency of administration may be made by persons skilled in the art, such as an attending physician based on considerations of the condition being treated, age of the subject being treated, severity of the condition being treated, general state of health of the subject being treated and the like. [00207] In some embodiments, the course of treatment involving a DLL3-ADC of the present disclosure will comprise multiple doses of the selected drug product over a period of weeks or months.
• a DLL3-ADC of the present disclosure may be administered once every day, every two days, every four days, every week, every ten days, every two weeks, every three weeks, every month, every six weeks, every two months, every ten weeks, or every three months.
• the dosages may be altered or the interval may be adjusted based on patient response and clinical practices.
• Dosages and regimens may also be determined empirically for the disclosed therapeutic compositions in individuals who have been given one or more administration(s). For example, individuals may be given incremental dosages of a therapeutic composition produced as described herein.
• the dosage may be gradually increased, reduced, or attenuated based respectively on empirically determined or observed side effects or toxicity.
• a marker of the specific disease, disorder or condition can be followed as described previously.
• these include direct measurements of tumor size via palpation or visual observation, indirect measurement of tumor size by x-ray or other imaging techniques; an improvement as assessed by direct tumor biopsy and microscopic examination of the tumor sample; the measurement of an indirect tumor marker (e.g., PSA for prostate cancer) or a tumorigenic antigen, a decrease in pain or paralysis; improved speech, vision, breathing or other disability associated with the tumor; increased appetite; or an increase in quality of life as measured by accepted tests or prolongation of survival.
• an indirect tumor marker e.g., PSA for prostate cancer
• a tumorigenic antigen e.g., a tumorigenic antigen
• Compatible formulations for parenteral administration may comprise a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein in concentrations of from about 10 ⁇ g/mL to about 100 mg/mL.
• the concentrations of the DLL3-ADC (e.g., antibody or the antigen binding portion thereof) will comprise 20 ⁇ g/mL, 40 ⁇ g/mL, 60 ⁇ g/mL, 80 ⁇ g/mL, 100 ⁇ g/mL, 200 ⁇ g/mL, 300, ⁇ g/mL, 400 ⁇ g/mL, 500 ⁇ g/mL, 600 ⁇ g/mL, 700 ⁇ g/mL, 800 ⁇ g/mL, 900 ⁇ g/mL, or 1 mg/mL.
• the DLL3-ADC e.g., antibody or the antigen binding portion thereof
• the concentrations of the DLL3-ADC will comprise 2 mg/mL, 3 mg/mL, 4 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 6 mg/mL, 8 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 12 mg/mL, 14 mg/mL, 16 mg/mL, 18 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL, 35 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL, 45 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 60 mg/mL, 70 mg/mL, 80 mg/mL, 90 mg/mL, or 100 mg/mL.
• a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient refers to a carrier, stabilizer, and/or excipient pharmacologically and/or physiologically compatible with a subject and an active agent, which is well known in the art (see, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. Edited by Gennaro AR, 19th ed.
• a pH adjuster includes, but is not limited to, phosphate buffer; a surfactant includes, but is not limited to, cationic, anionic, or non-ionic surfactant, e.g., Tween-80; an ionic strength enhancer includes, but is not limited to, sodium chloride.
• Carriers, excipients, or stabilizers are nontoxic to the cell or mammal being exposed thereto at the dosages and concentrations employed. Often the carrier is an aqueous pH buffered solution.
• carriers include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (e.g., less than about 10 amino acid residues) polypeptide; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such as sodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as TWEENTM, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and PLURONICSTM.
• buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids
• antioxidants including ascorbic acid
• carrier can also refer to a diluent, adjuvant (e.g., Freund’s adjuvant (complete or incomplete)), excipient, or vehicle with which the therapeutic is administered.
• adjuvant e.g., Freund’s adjuvant (complete or incomplete)
• excipient or vehicle with which the therapeutic is administered.
• Such carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Water is an exemplary carrier when a composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition) is administered intravenously.
• Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions.
• Suitable excipients include starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and the like.
• the composition if desired, can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents.
• Compositions can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, capsules, powders, sustained-release formulations and the like.
• compositions can include standard carriers such as pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, etc. Examples of suitable carriers are described in Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences (1990) Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA.
• Compositions, including pharmaceutical compounds may contain a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of a D3-binding agent (e.g., an anti-D3 antibody), for example, in isolated or purified form, together with a suitable amount of carrier so as to 94 NAI-1539599961v1 provide the form for proper administration to the subject (e.g., patient).
• a D3-binding agent e.g., an anti-D3 antibody
• suitable amount of carrier so as to 94 NAI-1539599961v1 provide the form for proper administration to the subject (e.g., patient).
• the formulation should suit the mode of administration.
• adjuvant refers to a non-specific immunopotentiator, which can enhance immune response to an antigen or change the type of immune response in an organism when it is delivered together with the antigen to the organism or is delivered to the organism in advance.
• adjuvants including, but not limited to, aluminum adjuvants (for example, aluminum hydroxide), Freund’s adjuvants (for example, Freund’s complete adjuvant and Freund’s incomplete adjuvant), Corynebacterium parvum, lipopolysaccharide, cytokines, and the like.
• Freund's adjuvant is the most commonly used adjuvant in animal experiments.
• Aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is more commonly used in clinical trials.
• METHODS OF TREATMENT [00213] Also provided herein are methods of treating, preventing, or alleviating a DLL3- mediated disease, disorder, or condition, including one or more symptoms of the DLL3- mediated disease, disorder, or condition with a DLL3-ADC as described herein.
• the present disclosure provides a method for treating, preventing, or alleviating a DLL3 positive or DLL3 overexpressed cancer with a DLL3-ADC as described herein.
• the cancer is lung cancer, including, for example, small cell lung cancer (SCLC), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), or colorectal cancer. Also provided herein are methods of killing tumor cells with a DLL3-ADC as described herein.
• a method of killing a tumor cell comprises contacting the tumor cell with a DLL3-ADC of Formula (I), (I-A) (I-B), (II), (II-A), (II-B), or a salt of any thereof.
• the contacting is in vivo or in vitro.
• subject includes any human or nonhuman animal, preferably humans.
• cancer refers to any tumor or any malignant cell growth, proliferation, primary or metastasis-mediated, including solid tumors and non-solid tumors such as leukemia.
• treatment refers generally to treatment or therapy, whether of a human or an animal, in which some desired therapeutic effect is achieved, for example, inhibition of the 95 NAI-1539599961v1 progress of a condition, and includes a reduction in the rate of progress, a halt in the rate of progress, regression of the condition, amelioration of the condition, and cure of the condition.
• Treatment as a prophylactic measure is also included.
• “treating” may refer to a dampening or slowing of a tumor or malignant cell growth, proliferation, or metastasis, or some combination thereof.
• “treatment” includes removal of all or part of a tumor, inhibiting or slowing tumor growth and metastasis, preventing, or delaying the development of a tumor, or some combination thereof.
• a “therapeutically-effective amount,” as used herein, pertains to that amount of an active compound, or a material, composition, or dosage from comprising an active compound, which is effective for producing some desired therapeutic effect, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, when administered in accordance with a desired treatment regimen.
• a “therapeutically-effective amount,” of a DLL3-ADC refers to an amount or concentration effective to treat a human DLL3-related disease or condition.
• the present disclosure provides a method of treating a disorder or a disease in a mammal, which comprises administering to the subject (for example, a human) in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of DLL3-ADC, such as in the form of a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition, as disclosed herein.
• a therapeutically effective amount of DLL3-ADC such as in the form of a DLL3-ADC pharmaceutical composition, as disclosed herein.
• the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein for use in treating a disease or disorder.
• provided herein is a use of a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or disorder.
• the disorder or disease may be a cancer.
• a variety of cancers where DLL3 is implicated, whether malignant or benign and whether primary or secondary, may be treated or prevented with a method provided by the disclosure.
• the cancers may include, but not limited to, lung (including various subtypes, e.g., small cell and non-small cell lung cancer), adrenal, liver, kidney, bladder, breast, gastric, ovarian, cervical, uterine, esophageal, colorectal, prostate pancreatic, thyroid, carcinomas, sarcomas, glioblastomas and various head and neck tumors.
• Exemplary cancers include, for example, small cell lung cancer, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, glioblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and cancers with neuroendocrine phenotype.
• DLL3-ADCs and compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same as disclosed herein can be used for treating lung cancers such as bronchogenic carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, large 96 NAI-1539599961v1 cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma, e.g., lung adenocarcinoma.
• the lung cancers may be refractory, relapsed, or resistant to a platinum based agent (e.g., carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, topotecan) and/or a taxane (e.g., docetaxel, paclitaxel, larotaxel, or cabazitaxel).
• a platinum based agent e.g., carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, topotecan
• a taxane e.g., docetaxel, paclitaxel, larotaxel, or cabazitaxel.
• Cancers to be treated by DLL3-ADCs as disclosed herein may also be large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), medullary thyroid cancer, glioblastoma, neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), high-grade gastroenteropancreatic cancer (GEP) and malignant melanoma.
• LNEC
• DLL3-ADCs and compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, as disclosed herein, may be used to treat neuroendocrine tumors (both NET and pNET) arising in the kidney, genitourinary tract (bladder, prostate, ovary, cervix, and endometrium), gastrointestinal tract (colon, stomach), thyroid (medullary thyroid cancer), and lung (small cell lung carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma).
• neuroendocrine tumors both NET and pNET
• NET neuroendocrine tumors
• DLL3-ADCs and compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are especially effective at treating lung cancer, including the following subtypes: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (e.g., squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer or squamous cell small cell lung cancer) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.
• Stimulation of an Immune Response [00225] The disclosure also provides a method of enhancing (for example, stimulating) an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject a DLL3-ADC of the disclosure such that an immune response in the subject is enhanced.
• the present disclosure provides a DLL3-ADC for use in enhancing (e.g., stimulating) an immune response in a subject.
• a DLL3-ADC for the manufacture of a medicament for enhancing (e.g., stimulating) an immune response in a subject.
• the subject is a mammal.
• the subject is a human.
• the term “enhancing an immune response” or its grammatical variations means stimulating, evoking, increasing, improving, or augmenting any response of a mammal’s immune system.
• the immune response may be a cellular response (e.g., cell-mediated, such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated) or a humoral response (e.g., antibody mediated response), and may be a primary or secondary immune response.
• enhancement of immune response examples include increased CD4 + helper T cell activity and generation of cytolytic T cells.
• the enhancement of immune response can be assessed using a number of in vitro or in vivo measurements known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, cytotoxic T lymphocyte assays, release of cytokines (for example IL-2 production or IFN- ⁇ 97 NAI-1539599961v1 production), regression of tumors, survival of tumor bearing animals, antibody production, immune cell proliferation, expression of cell surface markers, and cytotoxicity.
• methods of the disclosure are useful to enhance the immune response by a mammal when compared to the immune response by an untreated mammal or a mammal not treated using the methods as disclosed herein.
• a DLL3-ADC may be used alone as a monotherapy, or may be used in combination with chemical therapies, radiotherapies, targeted therapies, or cell immunotherapies etc. [00228] Combined Use with Chemotherapies [00229] A DLL3-ADC may be used in combination with chemotherapies, including, for example, an anti-cancer agent, a cytotoxic agent or chemotherapeutic agent.
• anti-cancer agent or “anti-proliferative agent” means any agent that can be used to treat a cell proliferative disorder such as cancer, and includes, but is not limited to, cytotoxic agents, cytostatic agents, anti-angiogenic agents, debulking agents, chemotherapeutic agents, radiotherapy and radiotherapeutic agents, targeted anti-cancer agents, BRMs, therapeutic antibodies, cancer vaccines, cytokines, hormone therapies, radiation therapy and anti-metastatic agents and immunotherapeutic agents. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments as discussed above, such anti-cancer agents may comprise conjugates and may be associated with a DLL3-ADC as disclosed herein prior to administration.
• selected anti-cancer agents will be linked to the unpaired cysteines of the engineered antibodies to provide engineered conjugates (e.g., antibody-drug conjugates) as set forth herein. Accordingly, such engineered conjugates are expressly contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
• the disclosed anti-cancer agents will be given in combination with a DLL3- ADC comprising a different therapeutic agent as set forth above.
• cytotoxic agent means a substance that is toxic to the cells and decreases or inhibits the function of cells and/or causes destruction of cells. In some embodiments, the substance is a naturally occurring molecule derived from a living organism.
• cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, small molecule toxins or enzymatically active toxins of bacteria (e.g., Diptheria toxin, Pseudomonas endotoxin and exotoxin, Staphylococcal enterotoxin A), fungal (e.g., ⁇ -sarcin, restrictocin), plants (e.g., abrin, ricin, modeccin, viscumin, pokeweed anti-viral protein, saporin, gelonin, momoridin, trichosanthin, barley toxin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolacca mericana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), Momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, saponaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitegellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, neomycin, and the 98 NAI-1539599961v
• chemotherapeutic agent comprises a chemical compound that non-specifically decreases or inhibits the growth, proliferation, and/or survival of cancer cells (e.g., cytotoxic, or cytostatic agents).
• cytotoxic, or cytostatic agents are often directed to intracellular processes necessary for cell growth or division, and are thus particularly effective against cancerous cells, which generally grow and divide rapidly.
• vincristine depolymerizes microtubules, and thus inhibits cells from entering mitosis.
• chemotherapeutic agents can include any chemical agent that inhibits, or is designed to inhibit, a cancerous cell or a cell likely to become cancerous or generate tumorigenic progeny (e.g., TIC).
• anti-cancer agents that may be used in combination with DLL3-ADCs of the present disclosure (either as a component of a site specific conjugate or in an unconjugated state) include, but are not limited to, alkylating agents, alkyl sulfonates, aziridines, ethylenimines and methylamelamines, acetogenins, a camptothecin, bryostatin, callystatin, CC-1065, cryptophycins, dolastatin, duocarmycin, eleutherobin, pancratistatin, a sarcodictyin, spongistatin, nitrogen mustards, antibiotics, enediyne antibiotics, dynemicin, bisphosphonates, esperamicin, chromoprotein enediyne antio
• anti-hormonal agents that act to regulate or inhibit hormone action on tumors
• anti-estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators aromatase inhibitors that inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which regulates estrogen production in the adrenal glands, and anti-androgens
• troxacitabine a 1,3- dioxolane nucleoside cytosine analog
• antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes such as a VEGF expression inhibitor and a HER2 expression inhibitor
• vaccines PROLEUKIN ® rIL-2; LURTOTECAN ® topoisomerase 1 inhibitor; ABARELIX ® rmRH; Vinorelbine and Esperamicins and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids or derivatives of any of the above.
• the present disclosure also provides for the use of a combination of a DLL3-ADC with a radiotherapy (e.g., any mechanism for inducing DNA damage locally within tumor cells such as gamma-irradiation, X-rays, UV-irradiation, microwaves, electronic emissions and the like).
• a radiotherapy e.g., any mechanism for inducing DNA damage locally within tumor cells such as gamma-irradiation, X-rays, UV-irradiation, microwaves, electronic emissions and the like.
• Combination therapy using the directed delivery of radioisotopes to tumor cells is also contemplated, and the disclosed DLL3-ADCs may be used in connection with a targeted anti-cancer agent or other targeting means.
• radiation therapy is administered in pulses over a period of time from about 1 to about 2 weeks.
• the radiation therapy may be administered to subjects having head and neck cancer for about 6 to 7 weeks.
• the radiation therapy may be administered as a single dose or as multiple, sequential doses.
• modifications that do not substantially affect the activity of the various embodiments described herein are also provided within the definition of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the present disclosure.
• 100 NAI-1539599961v1 SEQUENCE TABLE SUMMARY [00236] Appended to the instant application is a sequence table comprising a number of amino acid sequences. The following Table 3 provides a summary of the included sequences, where the underlined sequences represent the CDRs and the bold underlined lysine (K) residue is the site of modification for conjugating the linker-drug via site specific modification/conjugation.
• the obtained mouse DLL3, cynomolgus DLL3 and truncated human DLL3 were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and SEC, and then stored at -80oC.
• Human DLL3 (ACRO DL3-H52H4) was named as WT115-hPro1.ECD.His.
• the obtained mouse DLL3 was named as WT115-MBP-mPro1.ECD.hFc.
• Truncated isoforms of human DLL3 were named WT115-hPro1.V1.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (DSL domain + EGF1-6 domain + membrane proximal), WT115-hPro1.V2.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (EGF1-6 domain + membrane proximal), WT115-hPro1.V3.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (EGF2-6 domain + membrane proximal), WT115-hPro1.V4.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (EGF3-6 domain + membrane proximal), WT115-hPro1.V5.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (EGF4-6 domain + membrane proximal), WT115- 103 NAI-1539599961v1 hPro1.V6.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (EGF5-6 domain + membrane proximal), WT115- hPro1.V7.ECD.MBP.AVI.His (EGF6 domain + membrane proximal).
• WT115-BMK1 and WT115-BMK2 Two DLL3 antibodies were used as benchmark antibodies and referred to as WT115-BMK1 and WT115-BMK2 herein.
• DNA sequences encoding the variable region of WT115-BMK1 (SEQ ID NO:212 and SEQ ID NO:213 in US 2019/0046656, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and WT115-BMK2 (SEQ ID NO:37 and SEQ ID NO:38 in WO 2017/021349, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) were synthesized in Sangon Biotech (Shanghai, China), and then subcloned into modified pcDNA3.3 expression vectors encoding an Fc region of human IgG1.
• the plasmid containing VH and VL genes was co-transfected into Expi293 cells. Cells were cultured for 5 days, and the supernatant was collected for protein purification using Protein A column (GE Healthcare, 175438). The obtained antibodies were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and SEC, and then stored at -80oC. Establishment of Stable Cell Lines/Cell Pool [00244] Using Lipofectamine 2000, 293F cells were transfected with the expression vector containing a gene encoding full-length human DLL3 (UniProt, Q9NYJ7-1). Flpin293 cells were transfected with the expression vector containing a gene encoding full-length cynomolgus DLL3.
• VHH sequencing [00247] The positive E. coli clones selected by target specific binding ELISA and FACS with E.coli supernatants were sent to Biosune (Shanghai, China) for nucleotide sequencing of VHH gene. The sequencing results were analyzed using CLC Main Workbench (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany).
• the sequences of three (3) unique positive VHH clones were VHH300, VHH301, and VHH302, shown in Table 4 and Table 5. [00248] Table 4. Amino acid sequences of the CDR region [00249] Table 5. Amino acid sequences of the CDR region 105 NAI-1539599961v1 Generation of human Fc fusion antibodies comprising the VHHs [00250] The three unique positive VHH clones were converted to VHH-Fc (hIgG1) fusion antibodies.
• VHH genes were PCR amplified from the pET-bac vectors using VHH-specific cloning primers containing appropriate restriction sites then cloned by fusion into a modified human hIgG1 expression pcDNA3.3 vector to create corresponding clones of VHH-Fc (hIgG1) chimeric antibody.293F or Expi293 cells were transiently transfected with the vectors for antibody expression.
• the cell culture supernatants containing antibodies were harvested and purified using Protein A chromatography.
• the generated antibodies were named mAb300, mAb301, and mAb302, respectively.
• the obtained antibodies were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and HPLC-SEC, and then stored at -80oC.
• VHH humanization was done by “Best Fit” approach. Briefly, amino acid sequences of VHH framework regions were blasted against human germline V-gene database, and humanized VHH sequences were generated by replacing human CDR sequences in the top hit with VHH CDR sequences using Kabat CDR definition. Then key residues in framework which play an important role in antibody affinity or developability were back mutated to parental residues alone or in combination. The variants were codon optimized for mammalian expression and then synthesized by GENEWIZ (SuZhou, China). The designed VHH variants and parental VHH proteins were cloned into human IgG1 expression vectors to generate human IgG1 constructs.
• Antibodies were produced in HEK293 cells and purified using Protein A chromatography. The variants with desired affinity were finally selected as the humanized leads.
• Example 3 Characterization of DLL3-binding antibodies [00252] Human DLL3 binding by FACS: WT115-293F.hPro1.2E5 cells (1 ⁇ 10 5 cells/well) were incubated with various concentrations of antibodies (5-fold serially diluted from 200 nM to 0.0128 nM) at 4 °C for 1 hour.
• a secondary 106 NAI-1539599961v1 antibody R-PE-labeled goat anti-human IgG (1:150, Jackson ImmunoResearch, 109-115- 098), was added and incubated with cells at 4 °C in dark for 1 hour.
• Anti-human DLL3 antibodies WT115-BMK1 and WT115-BMK2 were used as positive controls.
• Human IgG1 isotype antibody was used as a negative control.
• the cells were washed and resuspended in 4% paraformaldehyde. MFI of the cells was measured by a flow cytometer and analyzed by FlowJo.
• Cynomolgus monkey DLL3 binding by FACS WT115-Flpin293.cPro1.
• pool cells (1 ⁇ 10 5 cells/well) were incubated with various concentrations of antibodies (4-fold serially diluted from 10 nM to 0.00061 nM) at 4 °C for 1 hour.
• a secondary antibody Alexa Fluor 647-labeled goat anti-human IgG (1:150, Jackson ImmunoResearch, 109-605-098
• Anti-human DLL3 antibodies WT115-BMK1 and WT115-BMK2 were used as positive controls.
• Human IgG1 isotype antibody was used as a negative control.
• the cells were washed with 1 ⁇ PBS/1%BSA, resuspended in 4% paraformaldehyde, and incubated at 4 °C in dark for 0.5 hour. Then the buffer was changed to 1 ⁇ PBS/1%BSA and the cells were filtered. MFI of the cells was measured by a flow cytometer and analyzed by FlowJo.
• Mouse DLL3 binding by ELISA Plates were pre-coated with 1 ⁇ g/mL, 100 ⁇ L per well of WT115-MBP-mPro1.ECD.hFc at 4 °C overnight. The antigen was diluted in coating buffer from stock solution.
• the plates were washed using 1 ⁇ PBST for one time, and blocking was done by adding 200 ⁇ L of 1 ⁇ PBS/2%BSA.
• Antibodies were serially diluted (5- fold serially diluted from 20 nM to 0.000256 nM) in blocking buffer. After 1-hour blocking, the plates were washed using 1 ⁇ PBST for 3 times, and then the antibody was added to the plates and incubated at ambient temperature for 1 hour.
• Anti-human DLL3 antibodies WT115-BMK1-Biotin and WT115-BMK2-Biotin were used as positive controls.
• WT114- BMK1-Biotin antibody was used as a negative control.
• Binding of antibodies to the immobilized mouse DLL3 was detected by HRP-labeled secondary antibody (Invitrogen, SNN1004), which was diluted in 1 ⁇ PBS/2%BSA at a concentration of 1:30000. After incubation, the plates were washed using 1 ⁇ PBST for 6 times. The color was developed by dispensing 100 ⁇ L of TMB substrate, and then reaction was stopped by adding 100 ⁇ L of 2M HCl. Absorbance was read at 450nm and 540nm using a microplate spectrophotometer. All samples were tested in duplicate.
• Anti-human DLL3 antibodies WT115-BMK1 and WT115-BMK2 were used as positive controls.
• Human IgG1 isotype antibody was used as a negative control.
• cells were stained with reagent (cell nucleus-Hoechst33342, 1000 ng/mL; cytoplasm-Calcein AM, 1:2000 dilution in DPBS) and the plate was incubated at 37 °C for 15 mins. Finally, cells were photographed with Operatta CLS and the antibody endocytosis was analyzed by parameter of “Spots per cell.”
• Table 6 Characterization summary of mAb301.
• the experimental data of WT-115-BMK1 to human DLL3 was fitted by heterogeneous ligand model.
• the other experimental data was fitted by 1:1 model using Langmuir analysis.
• the sensorgrams of blank surface and buffer channel were subtracted from the test sensorgrams.
• Molecular weight of 34 KDa was used to calculate the molar concentration of analyte.
• the affinities of the tested antibodies to human DLL3 are shown in Table 7. [00260] Table 7. Binding kinetics of DLL3 antibodies.
• 108 NAI-1539599961v1 Human Serum Stability [00261] Human serum was freshly isolated from healthy donors by centrifugation. The samples were diluted in serum and serum volume accounted for more than 90% of total volume.
• Linker-Drug (1) was prepared according to the following procedures: Synthesis of Intermediate (2) 109 NAI-1539599961v1 [00264] Ac-Glu(OtBu)-Val-Cit-OH (19.9 mg, 39.7 ⁇ mol) was dissolved in N,N- dimethylformamide (400 ⁇ L); 1-[bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5- b]pyridinium 3-oxide hexafluorophosphate (18.1 mg, 47.6 ⁇ mol), and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (6.27 ⁇ L, 47.6 ⁇ mol) were added thereto; and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• methyl 4-aminomandelate (8.63 mg, 47.6 ⁇ mol) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 21.5 hours, then purified via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography. The fraction containing the product was recovered, vacuum- concentrated to remove acetonitrile, and lyophilized to obtain the alcohol (2) (28.5 mg, quant).
• methyl 4-aminomandelate (15.8 mg, 87.4 ⁇ mol) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then purified via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography. A product-containing fraction was recovered, vacuum- concentrated to remove acetonitrile, and lyophilized to obtain the alcohol (12) (54.0 mg, 63.5 ⁇ mol).
• N-(5-aminopentyl) maleimide hydrochloride 35 mg, 0.16 mmol was added thereto, and the mixture was returned to room temperature and stirred for 20 hours.
• purification was performed via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography. A product-containing fraction was recovered, vacuum- concentrated to remove acetonitrile, then lyophilized to obtain Intermediate (46) (65 mg, 0.037 mmol).
• MS (ESI) m/z: 1744.7 [M+H] + 113 NAI-1539599961v1 [00272] Acetonitrile (2 mL) and an 85 wt.
• N-(5-aminopentyl) maleimide hydrochloride 22 mg, 0.10 mmol was added thereto, and the mixture was returned to room temperature and stirred for 18 hours.
• purification was performed via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography. A product-containing fraction was recovered, vacuum- concentrated to remove acetonitrile, and then lyophilized to obtain compound (50) (22 mg, 0.015 mmol).
• % aqueous solution of phosphoric acid (1.0 mL, 14.6 mmol) were sequentially added to intermediate (50) (22 mg, 0.015 mmol), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours. Once the reaction was complete, water (1 mL) was added thereto, the reaction solution was purified via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography, and a product-containing fraction was recovered and vacuum-concentrated to remove acetonitrile, then lyophilized to obtain Linker-Drug (2) (18.8 mg, 0.0139 mmol).
• Linker-Drug (1) is purified via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography on a C18 silica gel column (20X 150 mm, 5 ⁇ m) by gradient conditions (mobile phase A: 0.1% TFA and 99.9% water, mobile phase B: 0.1% TFA and 99.9% MeCN).
• Linker-Drug (1) Form A which is also referred to herein as Linker- Drug (1-A); and Linker-Drug (1) Form B, which is also referred to herein as Linker-Drug (1- B)
• Linker-Drug (1-A) is also referred to herein as Linker-Drug (1-B)
• RP-HPLC is further performed to analyze the produced Linker-Drugs. In brief, the analysis is conducted using an XBridge Shield RP 18, 4.6 x 150 mm, 3.5 ⁇ m (Waters catalog# 186003045), on an Agilent 1260 HPLC system.
• This system is equipped with a binary gradient pump, a temperature-controlled column compartment, an autosampler, and a diode array detector.
• the operational conditions are set as follows: a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 50 °C, with mobile phase A (MPA) comprising 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water, and mobile phase B (MPB) containing 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile.
• MPA mobile phase A
• MMPB mobile phase B
• UV at 215 nm, 252 nm, and 280 nm are used to detect the sample signals.
• Linker-Drug (2) (75 mg) was purified via reverse-phase fractionating chromatography on a C18 silica gel column (20X 150 mm, 5 ⁇ m) by gradient conditions (mobile phase A: 0.1% TFA and 99.9% water, mobile phase B: 0.1% TFA and 99.9% MeCN).
• Linker-Drug (2) Form A which is also referred to herein as Linker-Drug (2-A
• Linker-Drug (2) Form B which is also referred to herein as Linker-Drug (2-B)
• Linker-Drug (2-A) 40 mg
• Linker-Drug (2-B) 23 mg
• Linker-Drug (2-A): MS (ESI) m/Z: 1349.5 [M H] + [00282]
• Linker-Drug (2-B): MS (ESI) m/Z: 1349.5 [M H] + [00283]
• RP-HPLC was further performed to analyze the produced Linker-Drugs. In brief, the analysis was conducted using an XBridge Shield RP 18, 4.6 x 150 mm, 3.5 ⁇ m (Waters 120 NAI-1539599961v1 catalog# 186003045), on an Agilent 1260 HPLC system. This system was equipped with a binary gradient pump, a temperature-controlled column compartment, an autosampler, and a diode array detector.
• Linker-Drug (2-B) (the (S) epimer) as illustrated in Figure 3 was also produced.
• Linker-Drug (2-B) is a synthetic derivative of Exatecan, a cytotoxic agent of the camptothecin family, containing a cleavable peptide linker (EEVC) and antibody conjugation site Maleimide-C 5 -amine which are attached to p-amino mandelic acid fragment.
• Linker- Drug (2-B) was synthesized (for example, as described herein in Example 5), using stereospecific intermediates.
• Linker-Drug (2-B) (0.54 g, 86 % yield) was obtained.
• This example provides an exemplary protocol for reduction of the disulfides of the antibodies disclosed herein, and conjugation of the reduced antibodies to the linker-drug conjugates, e.g., Linker-Drug (1), (1-A), (1-B), (2), (2-A), or (2-B), described herein.
• Linker-Drug (1), (1-A), (1-B), (2), (2-A), or (2-B) described herein.
• Step 1 Antibody Disulfide Reduction 121 NAI-1539599961v1 a) Dilute antibody to 15 mg/mL (0.1 mM IgG) in PBS (pH 7.4); b) Prepare a fresh 20 mM (5.7 mg/mL) stock solution of tris(2 carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) in H 2 O; c) Add 25 ⁇ L of TCEP stock solution to 1 mL of antibody from 1a (0.5 mM final concentration TCEP); d) Incubate at 37 °C for 2 hours (check for free thiols using 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) test); and e) Aliquot the reduced antibody into 4 tubes (250 ⁇ L each).
• TCEP tris(2 carboxyethyl)phosphine
• Step 2 Linker-Drug Conjugation to Antibody a) Prepare a 10 mM stock solution of linker-cytotoxin conjugate in DMSO (DMA, DMF or CH3CN are also acceptable); b) Add 5 equivalents of 12.5 ⁇ L stock solution to each tube of reduced antibody (0.5 mM final concentration linker-cytotoxin conjugate stock solution); c) Incubate overnight at 4 °C for 4 hours at room temperature; check for free thiols using DTNB test; and d) Run analytical HIC to determine DAR and homogeneity.
• DMSO DMA, DMF or CH3CN are also acceptable
• b) Add 5 equivalents of 12.5 ⁇ L stock solution to each tube of reduced antibody (0.5 mM final concentration linker-cytotoxin conjugate stock solution)
• c) Incubate overnight at 4 °C for 4 hours at room temperature; check for free thiols using DTNB test; and d) Run analytical HIC to determine DAR and
• Example 10 Stochastic Conjugation through Reduction of Disulfides to make DLL3- ADCs (see, e.g., Jackson, David, Organic Process Research & Development 2016, 20, 852- 866, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and Tsuchikama, K. et al., Protein & Cell 2018, 9(1), 33-46, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) [00288]
• This example provides an additional exemplary protocol for reduction and purification of a DLL3 antibody for conjugation to the linker-cytotoxin conjugates e.g., Linker-Drug (1), (1-A), (1-B), (2), (2-A), or (2-B), described herein.
• reaction solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by normal phase chromatography with hexane/ethyl acetate to obtain S-phenyl 3-[(3-oxo-3- 123 NAI-1539599961v1 phenylsulfanyl-propyl)disulfanyl]propanethioate (1.77 g, 4.5 mmol) as a target product.
• DLL3 Antibody The peptide- and linker-coupled thiophenol-activation compound is dissolved in N,N′-dimethylformamide.
• DLL3 antibody is dissolved in sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.7), peptide reagent (30 equivalents with respect to the antibody) is added thereto, and the solution is stirred at room temperature for one hour.
• the reaction solution is substituted with a 100 mM sodium citrate buffer (pH 2.9) to stop the reaction and is further substituted with a 20 mM PBS buffer to generate an DLL3-antibody-peptide conjugate.
• the mass of the DLL3-antibody-peptide conjugate is measured by ESI-TOFMS by adding tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride solution (an equivalent with respect to the antibody) to the DLL3-antibody-peptide conjugate and the solution is stirred at room temperature. Samples are then analyzed by ESI-TOFMS. [00295] The DLL3-antibody-peptide conjugate formed above and the DLL3 unconjugated antibody are also analyzed by HIC using detector with a wavelength of 280 nm.
• the mass of the DLL3-antibody-peptide conjugate is measured by ESI-TOFMS by adding tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride solution (an equivalent with respect to the antibody), and the solution is stirred at room temperature. Samples are then analyzed by ESI-TOFMS.
• Linker-Drug Conjugation to Modified (Thiol-Introduced) DLL3-Antibody-Peptide Conjugate [00298] This example provides two exemplary protocols for conjugation of the modified DLL3 antibody to the linker-drug conjugates, e.g., Linker-Drug (1), (1-A), (1-B), (2), (2-A), or (2-B), described herein: [00299] Protocol 1: (see, e.g., Jackson, David, Organic Process Research & Development 2016, 20, 852-866, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and Tsuchikama, K.
• Protocol 2 (see, e.g., Matsuda et al., ACS Omega 2019, 4, 24, 20564–20570, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) e) To a solution of DLL3-antibody-peptide conjugate in conjugation buffer is added dimethylacetamide (DMA) and a 10 mM DMA solution of linker-cytotoxin conjugate (10 equiv), and the mixture incubated at 20 °C. f) After 2 h, a small amount of the reaction mixture (0.5 mL) is sampled for IPC analysis.
• DMA dimethylacetamide
• 10 mM DMA solution of linker-cytotoxin conjugate 10 equiv
• reaction mixture is quenched by an excess amount of a 50 mM aqueous solution of N-acetyl cysteine and incubated at 25 °C for 15 min.
• This reaction mixture is purified by a TFF system using a Sartocon Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and conjugation buffer as DF buffer at an antibody concentration of 20 mg/mL.
• the buffer exchange of this solution is conducted by a TFF system using a Sartocon Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and formulation buffer as DF buffer to afford ADC in formulation buffer.
• Example 12 Alternative Synthesis of Thiol-Introduced DLL3 Antibody by One-Pot Method
• the peptide- and linker-coupled thiophenol-activation compound are dissolved in N,N′-dimethylformamide.
• DLL3 antibody e.g., 500 ⁇ g
• sodium acetate buffer pH 5.5
• peptide reagent (30 equivalents with respect to the antibody) is added thereto.
• the solution is stirred at room temperature for one hour.
• a 0.5 M hydroxylamine 10 mM EDTA (pH 5.5) solution is added in the same amount as sodium acetate, and the resulting mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for two hours.
• Step 1 Conjugation of Affinity Peptide to Antibody To a solution of antibody in AcONa buffer (pH 5.5) is added a dimethylformamide (DMF) solution of peptide reagent 1 (9 equiv.) and stirred at 25 °C using the Chemglass system.
• DMF dimethylformamide
• reaction mixture After 1 h, a small amount of reaction mixture is sampled for IPC analysis. After checking the IPC analysis, the reaction mixture is purified by a TFF system using a Sartocon ® Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and AcONa buffer (pH 5.5) as diafiltration (DF) buffer. Next, the buffer exchange of this solution is conducted by a TFF system using a Sartocon ® Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and formulation buffer (20 mM histidine containing 5% trehalose, pH 5.2) as DF buffer at an antibody concentration of 6.9 mg/mL to afford antibody-peptide conjugate 2 in formulation buffer.
• DF diafiltration
• Step 2 Linker Cleavage To a solution of antibody-peptide conjugate in formulation buffer is added 0.25 M aqueous solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (12 equiv, pH 7.4), polysorbate 20 (0.0265 mL), and 0.5 M aqueous solution of TCEP (20 equiv) at 37 °C. The resulting mixture is measured by a pH meter, showing that the final pH is 5.2. After 1 h at 37 °C, a small amount of reaction mixture (e.g., 0.5 mL) is sampled for IPC analysis.
• EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
• the reaction mixture is purified by a TFF system using a Sartocon ® Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and 10 mM AcONa buffer (pH 5.5) as DF buffer.
• the buffer exchange of Ahis solution is conducted by a TFF system using a Sartocon ® Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and conjugation buffer (50 mM PBS, 10 mM EDTA, pH 7.4) as DF buffer to afford a linker cleavage product in conjugation buffer.
• Step 3 Reoxidation To a solution of linker cleavage product in conjugation buffer is added a 50 mM dimethyl sulfoxide solution of DHAA (40 equiv), and the mixture is incubated at room temperature. After 3 h, a small amount of reaction mixture (e.g., 0.5 mL) is sampled for IPC analysis. After checking the IPC analysis, the reaction mixture is purified by a TFF system using a Sartocon ® Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and conjugation buffer as DF buffer to afford linker reoxidation product in conjugation buffer.
• a small amount of reaction mixture e.g., 0.5 mL
• the reaction mixture is purified by a TFF system using a Sartocon ® Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and conjugation buffer as DF buffer to afford linker reoxidation product in conjugation buffer.
• Step 4 Drug Conjugation To a solution of reoxidation product in conjugation buffer is added dimethylacetamide (DMA) and a 10 mM DMA solution of linker-drug (10 equiv), and the mixture is incubated at 20 °C. After 2 h, a small amount of the reaction mixture (e.g., 0.5 mL) is sampled for IPC analysis. After checking the IPC analysis, the reaction mixture is quenched by an excess amount of a 50 mM aqueous solution of N-acetyl cysteine and incubated at 25 °C for 15 min.
• DMA dimethylacetamide
• 10 mM DMA solution of linker-drug 10 equiv
• This reaction mixture is purified by a TFF system using a 129 NAI-1539599961v1 Sartocon Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and conjugation buffer as DF buffer.
• the buffer exchange of this solution is conducted by a TFF system using a Sartocon Slice 200 ECO Hydrosart ® membrane (30 kDa; Sartorius) and formulation buffer as DF buffer to afford the ADC in formulation buffer.
• Example 14 ADC Production [00306]
• the ADCs as described in Table 9 below were produced using a method as described in the Examples above. All produced ADCs have ⁇ 3 % high-molecular weight species (% HMW) aggregates.
• Each of the ADCs was then prepared in a formulation buffer (20 mM histidine, 5% (w/v) trehalose, pH 5 to 6, such as 5.2, 5.5, or 6.0).
• Table 9 Produced ADCs 130 NAI-1539599961v1
• Example 15 Developability [00308] Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis was performed using a 4.6 mm ID x 300 mm AdvanceBio column (SEC 300 ⁇ , 2.7 ⁇ m, Agilent, catalog # PL1580-5301) on an HPLC. The maximum column pressure was 400 bar.
• the running buffer was 1 x PBS (HyClone) + 10% IPA. Sample was loaded and the flow rate was 0.2 mL/minute.
• the column was equilibrated with 100% mobile phase Buffer A (50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7 with 1.5 M ammonium sulfate) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/minute at ambient temperature.
• Sample was loaded and eluted using a gradient from 100% mobile phase buffer A to 100% mobile phase buffer B (50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7 with 20 % (v/v) isopropanol) at 0.5 mL/minute.
• the elution time and buffer are specified in Table 10 below, and the length of linear gradient was 20 min. Absorbance was monitored at 280 nm. Sample retention time was calculated and compared to a set of standard controls to identify antibodies with increased retention time (increased hydrophobicity) and the presence of multiple species.
• Figure 4A-4D Representative results are provided herein as Figure 4A-4D.
• Figure 4A showed SEC results indicating that mAb302 had ⁇ 3% HMW aggregates, which was higher than mAb300, and conjugation had very little effect on aggregation.
• Figure 4B compared mAb300 and mAb302 using HIC and showed that mAb302 was more hydrophobic than mAb300.
• mAb300 was further compared with mAb 301 (data not shown), indicating that mAb300 and mAb301 had similar hydrophobicity profiles. SEC was also performed to compare mAb300 and mAb301 (data not shown), and mAb300 and mAb301 were shown to have similar elution times.
• Figure 4C showed that mAb300 conjugates (ADC-009 and ADC-010) were more hydrophobic than the antibody, and MMAE conjugate was more hydrophobic than the Exatecan conjugate.
• mAb302 conjugates (ADC-013 and 132 NAI-1539599961v1 ADC-014) were more hydrophobic than the antibody, and MMAE conjugate was more hydrophobic than the Exatecan conjugate.
• Example 16 Binding Characterization (BiacoreTM) [00315] Kinetic measurements were performed using a Cytiva Biacore T200 instrument in HBS-EP+ buffer. An anti-human Fc antibody was covalently coupled with a Series S CM5 chip (Cytiva) using EDC/NHS chemistry and deactivated with ethanolamine before use. After equilibration in running buffer, the anti-DLL3 antibodies were captured in Channels 2, 3, and 4, while Channel 1 was used as the reference.
• the human, cyno, mouse, and rat DLL3 antigens (Acro) were tested in a 4-fold serial dilution from 100 nM to 0.02 with a buffer blank included. After each antigen cycle, the chip surface was regenerated using 10 mM glycine which facilitated the removal of both the antibody and antigen. The data were processed using a 1:1 binding model in the Biacore T200 Evaluation software.
• Figure 5 provides exemplary Biacore sensorgrams of the tested antibodies (mAb300, mAb301, mAb302, and a DLL3 IgG1 ⁇ (having a heavy chain disclosed as SEQ ID NO:71 in WO2022153195A1 and a light chain disclosed as SEQ ID NO:72 in WO2022153195A1) as a positive control) binding to cyno, human, mouse, and rat DLL3.
• the calculated affinity data is provided in Table 12 below, indicating that mAb300 and mAb301 have similar binding characteristics compared to mAb302.
• the ADC-016 composition exhibited a DAR of 3.9 using HIC and 3.6 using RP-HPLC
• the ADC-017 composition exhibited a DAR of 4.0 using HIC and 3.9 using RP- HPLC
• the ADC-015 composition exhibited a DAR of 1.8 using HIC and 1.7 using RP- HPLC.
• Example 18 Characterization of ADC-015-M, ADC-015-A, ADC-015-B, ADC-016-M, ADC-016-A, and ADC-016-B.
• the ADCs including ADC-015-M, ADC-015-A, ADC-015-B, ADC-016-M, ADC- 016-A, and ADC-016-B, were produced as described in the preceding Examples, formulated in 20 mM Histidine, 5% Trehalose, pH 6.0, and the subject to further analysis concerning their aggregation percentages, DARs, endotoxins, and yield percentages by following the methods below.
• ADCs (25 ⁇ g) were injected onto an AdvanceBio SEC 300 ⁇ size exclusion chromatography column (2.7 ⁇ m, 4.6 x 300 mm, Agilent PN PL1580- 5301) at room temperature via isocratic elution in 1 x PBS (Cytiva Life Sciences PN SH30258.01) with 10 % (v/v) isopropanol at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/minute. Samples were monitored at 280-nm and 254-nm on an Agilent 1260 Infinity II Bio-Inert HPLC system equipped with a multi-wavelength detector. ChemStation software was utilized to quantify each sample chromatography to determine aggregation.
• ADCs 50 ⁇ g were injected onto a TSKgel Butyl-NPR hydrophobic interaction chromatography column (2.5 ⁇ m, 4.6 x 35 mm, Tosoh Bioscience PN 14947) at room temperature and eluted with a 20-minute linear gradient from 0 to 100% B at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/minute, with Mobile Phase A: 50 mM sodium phosphate, 1.5 M ammonium sulfate, pH 7, and Mobile Phase B: 50 mM sodium phosphate, 20% (v/v) isopropanol, pH 7.
• HIC analysis was performed using a column of Tosoh TSKgel Butyl-NPR, 4.6 x 35 mm, 2.5 ⁇ m on an HPLC.
• the column was equilibrated with 100% mobile phase Buffer A (1.5 M (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , 50 mM Na 2 HPO 4 /NaH 2 PO 4 , pH 7.0) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/minute at ambient temperature.
• Sample (20 ⁇ L, 1 mg/mL) was loaded and eluted using a gradient from 100% mobile phase buffer A to 100% mobile phase buffer B (50 mM Na2HPO4 /NaH2PO4 25 v/v% IPA, pH 7.0) at 0.5 mL/minute.
• the elution time and buffer are specified in Table 13 below. Absorbance was monitored at 280 nm. [00326] Table 13. HIC Elution Conditions [00327] Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis was performed using a 4.6 mm ID x 300 mm AdvanceBio column (SEC 300 ⁇ , 2.7 ⁇ m, Agilent, catalog # PL1580-5301) on an HPLC. The maximum column pressure was 400 bar. The running buffer was 1 x PBS (HyClone) + 10% IPA. Sample was loaded and the flow rate was 0.2 mL/minute. The length of isocratic gradient was 27 min. Absorbance was monitored at 280 nm. Chromatographic peaks were integrated to determine percentage of homogeneity and retention time.
• Example 19 Cytotoxicity Assays (hDLL3 B16F10 cell line) [00330] The produced ADCs were evaluated for their cytotoxicity effects on mouse melanoma cell line B16F10 engineered to express human DLL3 (referred to herein as hDLL3 B16F10). Briefly, hDLL3 B16F10 cells were seeded per well on Day -1 (referred to herein as D-1) and cultured under 5% CO2 at 37°C. On the following day (e.g., Day 0 or D0), the tested compounds were added to each well at a series of dilutions.
• FIG. 9A-9C.1,000 cells were seeded per well on Day -1.
• the tested compound was ADC-017 comprising mAb301 and MMAE and having a target DAR of 4.
• MMAE NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-002
• Exatecan NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-001
• the dilution series in DPBS were 500 – 0.008 nM, (9 concentrations, 4x dilution).
• the tested compounds included ADC-015 (comprising 137 NAI-1539599961v1 mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 2), ADC-016 (comprising mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 4), and ADC-017 (comprising mAb301 and MMAE, and having a target DAR of 4).
• ADC-015 comprising 137 NAI-1539599961v1 mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 2
• ADC-016 comprising mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 4
• ADC-017 comprising mAb301 and MMAE, and having a target DAR of 4
• MMAE NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-002
• Exatecan NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-001
• Example 20 Cytotoxicity Assays (Human DLL3 high expression stable cell line (WT115- 293F.hPro1.2E5)) [00333] The produced ADCs (ADC-015-A, ADC-015-B, ADC-015-M, ADC-016-A, ADC- 016-B, and ADC-016-M) were evaluated for their cytotoxicity effects on the HEK293F tumor cell line engineered to overexpressing hDLL3 as described above (WT115- 293F.hPro1.2E5).
• Exatecan and an isotype ADC were tested in parallel and served as controls.
• an isotype ADC anti-HEWL VHH-Fc isotype conjugated to Linker-Drug (2), mixture of Form A and Form B, having a target DAR of 4
• day -1 cells were seeded in a 96 well plate at a density of 3,000 cells/ well by diluting 1 million cells in 30 mL of pre-warmed FreeStyle 293 Expression Medium (ThermoFisher 12338018) supplemented with 6 ⁇ g/mL Blasticidin (Thermo Scientific J67216.XF). Cells used for these assays were between passages 5 and 13 and their viability verified to be > 90%.
• Test compounds (ADC-015-A, ADC-015-B, ADC-015-M, ADC-016- A, ADC-016-B, ADC-016-M, Exatecan and isotype ADC) were added on day 0 as 10x concentrated working stocks serially diluted in PBS from a top concentration of 500 nM following a 3 or 4 fold dilution series. Each concentration was tested in triplicates. Test plates were incubated in a humidified incubator at 37°C with 5% CO2 for 96 hours. Endpoint was measured using the Cell Titer Glow reagent and protocol and luminescence was recorded on 138 NAI-1539599961v1 SpectraMax i3x.
• surviving rate (%) (LumTest article-LumMedium control)/ (LumVehicle control- LumMedium control) ⁇ 100%
• surviving rate (%) (LumTest article-LumMedium control)/ (LumVehicle control- LumMedium control) ⁇ 100%
• a dose-response curve using nonlinear regression model with a log(inhibitor) vs response- Variable slope response was fitted to the data using GraphPad Prism 9 to calculate relative IC 50 . Maximum response was defined as “100 – minimal survival rate”.
• Exemplary results are plotted in Figures 10A-10E and Tables 15-19 below.
• Figure 10A and Figure 10B provide data from one exemplary experiment, and the obtained signal fold change vs day 0 in PBS control was 6.9.
• Figure 10C and Figure 10D provide data from another exemplary experiment, and the obtained signal fold change vs day 0 in PBS control was 13. Concerning the data of Figure 10E, the obtained signal fold change vs day 0 in PBS control was also 13. Further, Figure 10A, Figure 10C, and Figure 10E plot the concentration of the ADCs (or Exatecan for the Exatecan treated group) on the x-axis, while Figure 10B and Figure 10D plot the concentration of Linker-Drug (2) (Form A, or Form B, or a mixture thereof) (or Exatecan for the Exatecan treated group) on the x-axis.
• ADCs or Exatecan for the Exatecan treated group
• Figure 10B and Figure 10D plot the concentration of Linker-Drug (2) (Form A, or Form B, or a mixture thereof) (or Exatecan for the Exatecan treated group) on the x-axis.
• the cells were seeded per well on Day -1 (referred to herein as D-1) and cultured under 5% CO2 at 37 °C.
• D-1 Day -1
• the seeding density was 3,000 cells per well.
• H69 the seeding density was 9,000 cells per well.
• H460 the seeding density was 1,000 cells per well.
• the tested compounds were added to each well at a series of dilutions, including ADC-015 (comprising mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 2), ADC-016 (comprising mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 4), and ADC-017 (comprising mAb301 and MMAE, and having a target DAR of 4).
• ADC-015 comprising mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 2
• ADC-016 comprising mAb301 and Exatecan, and having a target DAR of 4
• ADC-017 comprising mAb301 and MMAE, and having a target DAR of 4
• MMAE NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-002
• Exatecan NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-001
• the cells were seeded per well on Day -1 (referred to herein as D-1) at a density of 9,000 cells per well and cultured under 5% CO 2 at 37 °C.
• D-1 Day -1
• the tested compounds were added to each well at a series of dilutions, including ADC-009 (comprising Exatecan) and ADC-010 (comprising MMAE).
• MMAE NJ Bio stock- lot# NJBP-75-184-002
• the dilution series in DPBS were 500 – 0.008 nM, (9 concentrations, 4x dilution).
• FIGS 15A-15E Representative cell survival curves of SHP77, DMS79, H69, and CORL279 were plotted in Figures 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D, respectively. Their IC 50 and maximum inhibition percentages were then calculated using Prism and the results are shown in Figure 15E.
• Example 23 Anti-Tumor Effects in Cell Line-Derived Xenograft (CDX) Models
• CDX Cell Line-Derived Xenograft
• ADC-015-B and ADC-016-B were tested using the SHP77 CDX model as described herein.
• the tested compounds at various dosages (1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg) were administered by the intravenous (i.v.) route on Day 1.
• ADC-015-M, ADC-015-B, ADC- 016-M, and ADC-016-B were investigated in two CDX models of small cell lung (SCL) cancer SHP77 and H69, implanted subcutaneously in female CB17 SCID mice. DLL3 expression on these cell lines was confirmed by flow cytometry using a control anti-DLL3 antibody (having a heavy chain as set forth in CAS Registry Number: 2897724-56-8 and a light chain as set forth in CAS Registry Number: 2897724-55-7).
• the tested compounds were administered by the intravenous (i.v.) route, either as a single dose or on a repeat dose schedule depending on the studies.
• Vehicle, mAb301, DAR 2 Isotype ADC (anti- HEWL VHH-Fc isotype conjugated to Linker-Drug (2), mixture of Form A and Form B, having a target DAR of 2), and DAR 4 Isotype ADC (anti-HEWL VHH-Fc isotype conjugated to Linker-Drug (2), mixture of Form A and Form B, having a target DAR of 4) were also included as controls.
• the tested compounds at various dosages were administered by the intravenous (i.v.) route on Day 1, Day 4, and Day 8.
• Vehicle and 5 mg/kg mAb300 were also tested in parallel as controls. Tumor volumes and body weights were monitored during the study. [00363] The corresponding results can be found in Figure 16E (the mean group tumor volume (TV) graphing stops when 1 animal reached TV endpoint and was removed from study or on Day 31), Figure 16F, and Table 23.
• TGI Tumor Growth Inhibition
• Example 24 Anti-Tumor Effects in Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Models
• SCL small cell lung
• SCLC SCLC patient derived xenograft models LXFS 538, LXFS573 and LXFS 2156 as well as in the colon cancer models CXF 94 and CXF 742 implanted subcutaneously in female NMRI nude mice were established.
• mice Female NMRI nu/nu mice (from Charles River Laboratories), between 5 and 8 weeks of age, were implanted subcutaneously with tumor pieces of LXFS 538 (SCLC, IHC scores: 152 (membranous); 212 (cytoplasmic)), LXFS573 (SCLC, IHC scores: 42 (membranous); 51 (cytoplasmic)), LXFS 2156 (SCLC, IHC scores: 8 (membranous); 16 (cytoplasmic)), CXF 94 (SCLC, IHC scores: 5 (membranous); 9 (cytoplasmic)), or CXF 742 (colorectal, IHC scores: 142 (membranous); 168 (cytoplasmic)).
• SCLC LXFS 538
• IHC scores 152 (membranous); 212 (cytoplasmic)
• LXFS573 SCLC, IHC scores: 42 (membranous); 51 (cytoplasmic)
• LXFS 2156 SCLC, IHC scores: 8 (membranous
• mice Upon reaching individual tumor volumes of 50-250 mm 3 , mice were assigned to treatment groups based on tumor volumes aiming at comparable group mean/median tumor volumes and were subsequently treated according to Table 24 below. Dosing started within 24 hours of the randomization. The observation period was max.5 weeks post last treatment. [00368] Table 24. Group Assignment and Therapy Schedule *based on last body weight measurement [00369] Briefly, the efficacy experiments comprised 4 groups with 8 animals/group. All treatments were administered by the intravenous (i.v.) route, at a dose level of 5 mg/kg. ADC-015-M was tested as a single dose and ADC-016-M as both a single and repeat dose, on day 1 (D1) and day 8 (D8).
• i.v. intravenous

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